Hi Mandy,

The GPs and nurses follow the NICE guidelines when it comes to deciding if a mole needs to be referred to a dermatologist. It sounds like your mole is borderline as to whether it might need assessing for removal for a biopsy & that is why one nurse thought it was probably OK whilst the second one thought it was better to get it checked out. This doesn't mean it's definitely melanoma - in fact 75% of patients referred to dermatology receive a clean bill of health as the mole is either found to be completely benign or it's dysplastic (also known as atypical or precancerous). 

So you will receive an appointment to see a dermatologist who will look at the mole using a dermascope. If they think the mole's cells look unusual, they will arrange for you to return to have the mole removed (under local anaesthetic as a day patient) and be sent off for biopsy. 

Try not to worry - keep yourself busy & distracted & hopefully you won't be waiting too long for your appointment. Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009) 

I have been given an appointment for the 1st of May.....I'm glad but now worried it's so quick? Like it has wrnt through urgently? 

Hi Mandy,

It's good that you don't have too long to wait now. GP surgeries tend to err on the side of caution when dealing with a suspicious mole & they refer all patients under the 2 week cancer pathway rule - that doesn't mean it's definitely melanoma, it just means they don't hang around in case it is. There is still a chance yours will be fine. I prefer to hear that doctors are being proactive and getting people checked at dermatology as it's much better than not referring a patient & then finding they missed a cancerous mole. Try to put it to the back of your mind for the next week until on the day. Good luck & please let us know how you get on, Angie

Hi there and thank you for your reply it definitely helps chatting to you. So I'm here at my appointment today and the consultant said obviously she can't be 100% but she wasn't too concerned. They have decided to remove the mole because the borders are unusual and because it's hard to monitor on my back.  Hopefully I get it removed today it's a busy clinic.....I just need to try and control my anxiety in the wait for the results I'm terrible x

IT's good that they are going to remove it, to be on the safe side. If you get it removed today it's even better - most patients have to return at a later date for it removing. Fingers crossed for you - expect a long wait for results so try not to worry over the next few weeks. Distract yourself - mediation etc is good.

Thanks a million, appointment 17th of May, she did say a long wait for the results...I need to remember anxiety doesn't change anything and I've tried to look after myself the best I can x

It was a really busy clinic today, I know it would've been a good thing but I'm worried was it urgent looking to it being suggested I get it removed that day? Or because of waitimg times is that what they do if they can?