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Suspicious mole

Wakita1013
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Hi wondering if someone can help me , I've recently had a mole that's been changing for awhile didn't think much of it untill it started scabbing and bleeding , I had huge amount of red swelling that eventually went down however there's still a lump under and sort of to the side of mole it's still peeling and is itchy. Have had a course of antibiotics still no different . I have been made an appointment at my local surgery for someone to have a look at it under a special scope ? Is this Th w right way to go ? I was a previous sunbed user and do have skin cancer both sides of family so am slightly worried . Appointment is a 4 week wait , but from what I know it's just another doc having a look rather than a dermatologist. Just wanted to know if this is the right path to be taking ? 

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    Hi,

    Some GP practices have a GP that has been trained how to use a dermascope - a handheld microscope that shows any unusual cell activity in the mole. If it shows this they then refer you to dermatology under the 2 week rule. I am a little worried at the 4 week wait, especially as you have already had a wait to get to this point and you have a history of skin cancer in the family. I would contact the surgery and ask if it can be brought forward due to these reasons. Good luck and hopefully it will be fine. Please let us know how you get on.

    Angie (melanoma patient)

     

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    Hi , thank you for getting back to me . I've managed to get  an earlier appointment on the 5th nov as the doc I need to see isn't in untill then but much better than the 4 week wait. I will let you know how the appointment goes . 
    thanks again x 

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Hi angie , I had to go back to gp today as swelling  got too much and skin was turning  purple , they've give me antibiotic cream and antibiotics he said 100% wasn't cancerous even though he didn't use the the scope ?? But said I will have to go back and have it removed once infection has cleared  as will just keep causing me problems due to it being on inside of my thigh rubbing on clothes etc . Little worried he chose not to look under camera Does this seem the right way to go ? Xx 

  • Offline in reply to Wakita1013

    Hi,

    It does sound as though you have an infection and hopefully the antibiotics will clear that up. It's not too important that they didn't examin it with the dermascope at this point because it is going to be removed anyway. However, before it's removed you need an assurance that it will be biopsied. If the GP is going to remove it, insist on a biopsy after removal. If the GP refers you to dermatology for it's removal they will automatically send it for biopsy. Only a biopsy will give you a 100% diagnosis of either benign or malignant! I hope the antibiotics work quick so you aren't waiting too long for it's removal. Let us know how you get on,

    Angie x

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Hi angie , I had my mole removed yesterday .. because of the blackness spreading from the mole they had to take a lot more skin and send it off , I go back next week to have stitches removed .  They are now just as concerned as I am . Hoping the results don't take to long , thank you for your help with this x 

  • Offline in reply to Wakita1013

    Hi,

    It's good that it's been removed. I hope it heals well and that you aren't waiting too long for the results. Some hospitals are taking a few weeks for results to be received so if you haven't heard anything after 3 weeks ring the hospital & ask if they can give you an idea as to how much longer it will take. Good luck & please let us know how you get on,

    Angie

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