Hello Anna and welcome.  Deep breaths.  I don't think you need me to tell you that doctors refer patients for testing because they don't know what is causing the whatever-it-is and need to rule things out as well as confirm things.  I have not had any moles myself but my mum had one for a long time which went through some changes; a new GP at the surgery sent her for testing - fortunately it was not a nasty mole but they took it off anyway as it was on her face.  This was some time ago I hasten to add and procedures are a bit tighter these days.    Hopefully someone here will be able to give you some more up-to-date information.  Don't feel you have to compare your worries to others on this forum; your worries are your own and equally deserving of examination.  Let us know when you receive your appointment date and in the meantime come and talk/share your fears as much as you wish.   I am hopeful that you will get further responses to your post.  Annie

Thanks so much for replying Annie,

I know I really need to calm down a bit & stop letting my mind run away with itself, I need to just wait and cross these bridges if/when I come to them. I think part of my problem is the fact I lost my own mother to cancer when I was very young (granted it was not melanoma) so my biggest fear is the same thing happening and leaving my own children. 

I think for me (and maybe a lot of people) this will be the worst bit, waiting for that appointment and waiting for results. I've also been doing the exact thing I tell people not to do...google So in that respect I'm convinced I'll get bad news because I've found no mole pictures that look like mine to be benign. I think I need to try and just busy myself, it's out of my hands anyway. As supportive as my OH is, his resounding response to any of my fears are 'it'll be fine' ...as much as I hope that's true I can't shake the niggling feeling.

Hi Anna 

Yes - I had a recent referral via the two week rule for a mole I thought looked highly suspicious. It wasn’t but it sure looked it and my GP even said she was “concerned” due to different colours and me not being able to say whether or not it had changed. 

When I got to dermatology, they used some kind of tool to zoom in on the mole so they could see what the eye couldn’t. They found it was innocent (a normal beauty mark sat amongst freckles on different layers of skin). So....even dodgy looking ones don’t have to be sinister.

The good news is - you’ve been referred, you’ll know what you’re dealing with soon and it might not be anything to write home about.

The wait is awful, I know....and it is easy to get carried away with anxious thought but...try not to worry. One of the dermatologists I saw said most people that come to the clinic are sent away with no further action needed. 

Don’t make the mistake I did and have a look on google. All of the information I viewed, I thought applied to me and I was convinced the mole was a baddun. But it turned out that none of that information was accurate to my situation. So...please try and stay away from it. It won’t do anything but make you more anxious xx

Please let us know how you get on xxx thinking of you xxx 

Starcatone, thanks so much for your reply, it's reassuring to hear from someone who has been there. 

My GP didn't say a lot other than 'I mean I could tell you what I 'think' it is but we can't do that because we don't know' I don't even know what way to read that?! 

I think my main worry is the same as you've said, I don't actually know when/if it changed or by how much. I've now banned myself from google, it's really not helping, don't think it does for many people where health is concerned

Can I ask was your mole also raised? Ideally I'm praying the same will happen with me, the hospital will look at it closely and send me on my way at that point, that's what everyone hopes for...but also trying to be realistic and prepared for the chance it might not be good news. It just feels like such a huge weight at the minute. 

I am so very glad you had the best possible outcome! xxx

Hi Anna

So sorry you’re going through this!

You’re another day closer to finding out and so please hang in there and - yes - please stay away from Dr Google. Someone said on this forum the other day that he should have been struck off a while back xxx :) 

My mole isn’t raised - well, ever so slightly but not one that protrudes from the skin. The human eye would think it wasn’t healthy (and, as I say the GP was worried) but under the zoom tool (apologies not sure what the name is) they can see a lot more xx 

It may be that your mole is completely innocent so try not to worry too much xx please do keep coming back here for a chat and to keep us updated on any developments. I am praying for you too! 

Mine doesn't protrude as such either but it is raised to touch, just slightly. I think that's what worries me, to the eye it doesn't look good at all, but I'm no expert! 

The receptionist from the mole clinic called yesterday to confirm my details were all correct and said they'll be in touch shortly with my appointment, so I just have to sit tight and wait! 

Of course I hope it's nothing but if it's something I hope it's at the earliest stage! 

Thanks a million for your replies, it means an awful lot xxx

Oh it’s no problem! Exactly - only an expert eye will be able to tell for sure....not the GP, ourselves and definitely not google! 

Like you say....even if it was a naughty one, it may well be at an early stage and will be dealt with and removed.

It is a highly treatable condition anyway. I know a few moley people who have then removed all the time. My colleague has just had two removed from his chin and back...one was dodgy....he’s not had a day off work and is very casual about it (his view is - so what - they’ve removed it and I’m good to go again). 

Great that you have your appointment soon, Anna. I will await further news from you xxx 

Hi Anna,

I empathise with how you are feeling right now as I have spent many times over the years waiting for results etc. All I can do is answer some of your questions and hopefully it may help calm some of your fears. Your GP unfortunately cannot diagnose you, only a dermatologist can and even then it may require a biopsy for a definitive diagnosis. GPs can have a good idea, from experience, but guidelines say that a referral is necessary in most cases. A mole being raised isn't usually a signifier of melanoma unless it is nodular which stands prominently off the skin. I have had many moles removed over the years, raised and flat ones, and only one flat one was melanoma.

Melanoma is more treatable these days, especially if caught early, but it's not as simple as most people think. Sadly people think it can be cut out and all is well from then on. For many caught early that is the case but some early stage melanoma can return and spread, as in my case. Treatment for advanced melanoma is moving apace and many patients live with advanced melanoma where once they sadly died. This cancer is  very unpredictable so the quicker it's treated the better the outcome. Your referral will come through quickly and hopefully it will turn out to be benign. Sometimes dodgy moles are found to be dysplastic navaeus - they look dodgy but are benign. However they prefer to remove them as they can turn cancerous if left. 

Good luck and let us know how you get on. Keep busy to distract yourself and step away from Dr Google!!

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient)

Hi Angie, 

thanks so much for taking the time to reply! The wait is horrendous, trying to distract myself as much as possible but the worry still always lingers doesn't it? I do need to remind myself that I could be in for even more waiting if they remove the mole for biopsy. 

Its not nodular, it's only raised ever so slightly as I run my finger over my skin. It doesn't protrude as you look at it face on. 

Angie can I ask will the dermatologist be able to say what they suspect it is, even if that is indeed melanoma. I mean before biopsy confirmation? I mean if I were to ask 'do you think it's cancerous' will they be honest with me at that point do you think? I know they couldn't say for sure without testing but I'd rather know thats what they believe it to be than wait another 2 weeks oblivious.

I hope you are well and treatment is proving successful Angie 

again thank you a million times xxx

Hi Starcatone, 

Hope you're well. Of course I'm most hopeful it's nothing at all, but the second best thing I can hope for is that if it is melanoma then it's easily treatable and removed. Like you, I know a few people who have been dealt with that way and that was as far as it went, aside from regular check ups. 

I know there's absolutely nothing 'lucky' about cancer, nothing at all, but if my mole is malignant I hope to be 'lucky' enough that it's at the earliest stage an resolved quickly. 

Very much hoping to hear from hospital today regarding an appointment... otherwise I've got to get through the weekend in limbo. I must be patient though, there must be so many people in my position also awaiting appointments who I'd imagine feel the same way! 

Again thank you for being so lovely xx