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Scared - had 2 week referral for freckle, now worried that consultant has asked to see me in person in Jan

Lukesmom
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Hi all. 

I joined the group a few days ago but after reading some people's posts I felt like I was a fraud as I've not had any diagnosis.

However, I am scared of what may be to come and I don't want to lay it all on my husband and boys.

I went to my GP with a freckle that has changed- become bigger, redder, raised and shiny. I was expecting them to say it was fine but instead I was put on a 2 week referral. 

I understand I hit a lot of 'danger' triggers- I'm a redhead, super pale and freckly, and my maternal grandmother had skin cancer- but still, I was taken aback with be referral.

I was called to teledermatology to have the photographs taken 2 days later. During the questioning I picked up on a vibe given out by the guy after my answers to his questions- I am aware that I could have been looking for this- but still. 

This was last Monday and yesterday (23rd) I had a call asking me to come and see a consultant on the 7th of January.

Now I'm scared.

The part of me that is trying to be positive is telling me that it'll all be fine but the part of me that is scared is saying "they wouldn't waste a face to face appointment if the photos had shown that it was nothing to worry about" especially when the appointment is so soon.

I don't know what I want from posting this- maybe someone that is going though/ been through something similar.. I just feel like I need to say how worrie I am without saying it to my husband and sons as I don't want them to worry and ruin everyone's christmas.

Thanks for reading 

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    Hi Lukesmom,

    I can understand your anxiety & not wanting to worry your husband & sons and please don't feel you are a fraud - lots of people in your situation come on this forum to talk about the same situation.

    Yes, your GP referred you which made you anxious and yes, the telederm photos have been seen & dermatology have asked you for a face to face appointment but it really doesn't mean the worst just yet.

    Telederm photos can only tell the dermatologist so much but they can't definitively say that your freckle is cancerous. The dermatologist will want to take a look themselves, probably using a dermascope, & they may say it needs removing for a biopsy. This is because only a biopsy can give a 100% diagnosis of cancer - the naked eye, photos and dermascope can't. Don't panic if they want it removing - it's better to know for sure.

    75% of patients referred to dermatology are given a clean bill of health - the freckle or mole is either benign or atypical (also known as dysplastic or precancerous - they look worrying and need removing anyway so they don't have the ability to turn cancerous in the future). So the odds are good that it won't be melanoma but if it is - those odds are very high that it's been caught quickly and it only needs surgical treatment to be successful & to have no further problem in the future.

    Until you see the consultant on the 7th you don't yet know if they'll think it's fine or it needs removing. A problem shared is a problem halved so if it were me, I would tell your husband but not tell your children until you know what the situation actually is. If you have to have it removed I wouldn't tell them until you get the results otherwise you may be worrying them for needlessly if the results then come back clear.

    I hope this helps and that you manage to enjoy your family Christmas. The good thing is that you are getting it checked out quickly & you can do nothing more for now. Please let us know how you get on,

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

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