Hi Francesca,

I have no personal experience of the current waiting times, especially in the North West. However, I do know several melanoma patients who have recently received results at hospitals all over England and they have received them anything between 4 to 8 weeks. 2 weeks used to be the target before Covid but currently they have a backlog caused by Covid and a shortage of histologists and dermatologists. All I can suggest is that, if you get to week 6 & have heard nothing, there is no harm ringing the nurse (if you've been given contact details) or the dermatology department itself & ask to speak to the specialist nurse or the consultant's secretary. Either will be able to tell you if your results have been received & a possible timeline as to when you will get an appointment (or a letter if your hospital gives negative results by letter).

Sometimes the delay is due to the results being received but the MDT being delayed. All results (negative or positive) are discussed at the Multi Disciplinary Team Meeting which is held once a week. Dermatology, Plastics & Oncology discuss all results & agree on the next stage - either a treatment plan for positive results or discharge for negative results. If an important member of that meeting is missing, it delays your results until the following week. So if you ring & they say your results have been received but are still awaiting an MDT, don't panic if it takes longer than a week to hear from them.

Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Hello,

thanks for your reply, that makes sense, I’ve accepted all I can really do is wait and what will be, will be.

My poor partner has just had his Dad let us know that he has had to have a different biopsy yesterday done for a different type of cancer, so I’m actually feeling more sorry for him than myself!

It’s astounding and sad how common cancer is becoming. I never thought I’d be 30 waiting for some results. I just really hope it’s positive news on both fronts, I’ve got a 10 month old baby who is keeping me positive and strong! 

thanks again

Sending positive thoughts Francesca. I really hope you’re not waiting too long and that the outcome is good. Take care. 

Hi Francesca,

Hopefully, the fact you are so young will go in your favour & the results will be clear. If not, there is still every chance it's been caught early & will be successfully treated. Keep hugging your little one to keep your mind off the wait & I hope you hear very soon xx

Hi Francesca,

Hopefully, the fact you are so young will go in your favour & the results will be clear. If not, there is still every chance it's been caught early & will be successfully treated. Keep hugging your little one to keep your mind off the wait & I hope you hear very soon xx