Hi,

I understand how worrying this is but it's always best to get a mole that's changing thoroughly checked out. A GP can't diagnose if a mole is benign & if it shows certain changes they have to refer a patient to a dermatologist who is an expert. The fact your husband's mole is presenting an uneven border, has grown and sometimes itches are the signs that a GP must refer.

Having said all that, 75% of patients referred to dermatology find that their mole is fine - it's either benign (non cancerous) or it's dysplastic (also known as atypical or precancerous). So the odds are still in your husband's favour that it's OK. 

Don't panic if they advise the mole is removed for a biopsy. This is often the case if they can't give a 100% diagnosis of it being benign by just examining it with a dermascope. Most benign diagnoses are made after a biopsy, so many patients have to go through having a surgical removal (as a day patient under a local anesthetic).  

If the results diagnose melanoma, don't panic. If it's caught early, 97% of patients are successfully treated and never have any further problem. The other 3%, like myself, have great treatment options these days. 

Your husband will be in good hands so try not to worry at the moment. If you want to get more reassurance, use the spyglass icon at the top of the page and search this forum for mole or melanoma - you will see many people in your husband's position have posted that their mole turned out to be fine - hopefully that will help lessen your worry. Good luck and please let us know how he gets on. 

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Thank you so much for your reply,  it’s really helped to settle my mind,  I had trouble taking in all the statistics on websites but you’ve explained it perfectly.  
after his appointment today they still couldn’t determine either way and so, like you said, is having it removed,  this might take from 2-4 weeks to happen though but I’m trying to think positively. 

I wish you all the best with your Journey and how kind it is you are trying to put others at ease whilst you are dealing with it yourself 

Sarah xx 

Thank you for sharing,  I’ll feel a lot better when it’s removed I think,  so at least I know whatever it is is gone,  hope you get your results soon and it’s benign :)