Hi,

Sorry you are going through this but it's great that you have seen your GP and been referred to a dermatologist, especially with your family history.

They will examine your mole, probably through a dermascope, and decide if it needs further investigation by way of removal for a biopsy (the only 100% way to diagnose melanoma). If this is decided upon they will make an appointment for you, usually in about 2 weeks, for it's removal under local anaesthetic as a day patient. It then takes about 4 weeks for the results to come back so they will make an appointment or contact you to arrange an appointment to go back for the results. 

Hopefully your mole will be fine or it may be a dysplastic (atypical mole) which is benign but needed removing as it can turn cancerous in the future. If it turns out to be atypical they may arrange for regular check ups for a short time because of your family history. If it's melanoma then you will need further surgery (a wide local excision). 

I hope you aren't waiting too long for the appointment (it should have been done under the two week referral rule). If I can be of any help please ask - particularly as treatment options have moved on quickly over the last 5 years so, dependant on how long ago your relatives were diagnosed and what stage they are, may depend on if your treatment will differ from theirs. Good luck and please let us know how you get on.

Angie (melanoma patient)