Hi,

I'm sorry you are facing all these worries, especially when you already have an ongoing health worry. 

On Tuesday a dermatologist will examine your skin tag, probably using a dermatascope (a magnifying instrument which shows any unusual cells in the mole). They will also probably examine the lump in your neck/shoulder. They will then decide if the skin tag needs removing for biopsy. It's rare that this is done at the initial appointment unless they have the time, staff and theatre availability. They usually give you a date to go for removal as a day surgery patient (it's quick and involves a few stitches but there is a lot of waiting around before & after the procedure). The mole is sent for biopsy & the results, on average, are taking 4 weeks at the moment. Make sure you have someone with you on Tuesday, just in case they can remove it there & then and to help remember anything you've been told by the consultant.

There is a good chance that it will be OK - for every 10 that see the dermatologist only 2 or 3 are diagnosed with melanoma. Should it be melanoma, don't panic! Treatments are getting better & are having great results. Your other symptoms may not be connected to your mole, especially losing your hair & feeling very tired - they aren't a recognised symptom of melanoma.

My advice is DON'T look on Google! The information is out of date & only gives worse case scenarios. If you want more information please stick to the CRUK website, Macmillan or the British Association of Dermatology websites. 

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

Angie (melanoma patient)

Thanks so much for all the info Angie, I feel a bit better knowing what to expect on Tuesday now as I was completely clueless.

I'll just be glad to get Tuesday over with so at least I know what I'm facing.. Hopefully you are right and I'm in the lucky 7 out of 10... I note from your message you are a melanoma survivor. Do you mind me asking a bit more about your story so far? 

I will of course keep you updated from Tuesday. 

Thank you again

Sam X

Hi Sam,

I was diagnosed with early stage melanoma 23 years ago. After surgery I had 5 years of check ups and then was discharged. Unfortunately I was in the 5% of early stage patients that has a recurrence and mine happened 13 years later. It had spread so I am now Stage 3, however I am fit and healthy and still here 10 years later! Melanoma is a sneaky cancer but research is starting to catch up in the understanding of how it behaves and finding treatments that are showing great promise! xx

Oh wow...So there really ARE melanoma survivors out there! Everything I've read online just suggests its a death sentence so im happy to read you are still here 23 years on...despite your relapse. I'm so sorry to hear you have been bitten by it again, but very glad to hear you are still fighting fit!

Thank you again for the reassurance, I hope I will be messaging you soon with good news...

Sam Xx

There are definately survivors out there, more and more as research improves treatments and finds new ones that are are showing promising results. Crossing fingers for you tomorrow x