I went to my doctors and he agreed mine is definitely not fungal and to get it checked out. Just got off the phone to the hospital who can't give me an estimate waiting time but said it will definitely be over 6 months wait. 
I'm now thinking I need to go private...the worrying is making me ill. 

Thank you, we go away on Monday and I'm hoping it'll offer the distraction I need . 
 

hoping yours is nothing to worry about x

A 6 month wait sounds to me as though your GP referred you under the non-urgent route. I would contact your GP and ask if this is the case & if it's possible they can re-refer you under the 2 week cancer pathway. If they say it's not possible, I would then consider a private consultation with a dermatologist. If they suggest removal for a biopsy and you can't afford to have it privately, they can contact your GP and tell them to re-refer you on the 2 week pathway as per their consultation findings. It will mean you still have to go through the initial referral appointment with the NHS dermatologist but it will then speed up any removal surgery if it's necessary. The Private dermatologist may even turn out to be the NHS dermatologist who you eventually see! 

Hopefully your nail turns out to be something easily treatable but it definitely needs checking out. Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 superficial spreading melanoma patient since 2009)

Good luck. GGT12 has given you great advice,

Angie (Stage 3 superficial spreading melanoma patient since 2009)

Hi Angie,

ive been to see the doctor today as I have a dark spot/bruise on my big toe nail, hes said he's 99% sure it's not cancer but has referred me anyway for the urgent 2 week appointment.. 

Is this standard procedure as I'm scared he might be worried and not have said anything, are the allowed to do that? He could see I was very anxious. 
 

Thanks,

Jo 

xxxx
 

I have had my appointment come through for the 14th September that's 4 weeks since I saw the GP. It is by telephone though as I have had to submit photographs

Hi Jo,

Yes it's standard procedure set down by NICE guidance to GPs. As subungual melanoma is uncommon, GPs should err on the side of caution & refer to dermatology if they can't diagnose the nail problem as something else (fungal or trauma). It's much better that it's checked out by an expert so that you know for sure what the cause is. I hope this helps.

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

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Thanks Angie!

im just so anxious about the whole thing, I get I am probably just overthinking it!

I had a call off the hospital and they have booked me an appointment in the plastics department? I thought it was going to be dermatology.. and only plastics if they need a biopsy?

Again thanks so much for your response!

x

Hi Jo,

Some hospitals have a combined plastics & dermatology clinic once a week that just deal with problems like moles etc that may need removing after examination. The Plastic Surgeons are just as knowledgeable at what to look out for as the dermatologists are because they remove them every day. My hospital have one of these clinics and if I see a Plastic Surgeon who is unsure, they will go get a dermatologist colleague to come take a look - so you get 2 professionals for the price of 1.

It doesn't necessarily mean they remove it on the day but if they have the time and facility to do so they may. However, as yours is on your toe, they will probably bring you back at a later date if it needs removing as they don't like to do surgery on an area that will cause the patient mobility problems without forewarning.

x