Hi Holly,

Sorry to hear you are so worried about this. As someone who has plentiful moles I know this feeling only too well. I would urge you to get you Dr to look at it, i know with current timings it is difficult but easier to look at in person. 

I am 33 and still have new moles popping up. They do change over time, ive had ones that change colour gradually and have seen dermatology for this and all have been fine. 

I know its easy for me to say but it also isn't as I worry about them as well but try to put it to the back of your mind until you have spoken with the Dr. I would also ask for a referral to have mole mapping done so that dermatology can get photographs and monitor for changes. 

Try not to think the worst and please stay off Dr Google as nothing good comes from that!! 

G

Hi - with us GP has been doing everything by asking for photos. I got referred very quickly (within 24hours) on basis of photos submitted. If GP does refer you to an urgent skin cancer clinic don't panic. I had a mole quite unlike all my others in terms of being exceptionally dark and round (most of my dsyplastic moles have been assymmetric) appear very suddenly in pregnancy - think the referral that time around was routine rather than urgent. Consultant subsequently wanted to do a full excision and histology showed it to be severely dysplastic but not cancerous - about 6mm diameter.

I have also had other moles darken/grow/get inflamed/change sensation that have scared me (previously diagnosed benign but I got pictures so that I could monitor and report change) come back as high dysplasia after referrals under 2WW. Not cancer but needed to be removed.

If GP thinks your mole is okay then, as it is so different from your other moles, at least take a photo yourself so you can monitor it - put a ruler alongside when you take the photo if you can and note down dimensions. That way you will know if it is changing.

Dermatology have advised me to do monthly checks of all my moles as I have a history of dysplastic moles plus family history of melanomaxx

Hiya, 

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. 

I'm glad to here all you moles came back as fine. Honestly it's very reassuring to hear positive stories, unlike the others that I have found online. 

I absolutely will be keeping an eye on this mole even if the doctor says it's fine, thanks for the tip about the measuring will definitely be tracking this. 
 

im very worried about it but I will just have to wait and see, hopefully I will hear back from the doctors tomorrow. 
 

All the best, 

Holly xx 

Hi Holly,

You have already had some good advice. At your age it's quite common for new moles to appear and it's uncommon for them to be melanoma. If the mole is worrying you because it's dark in colour but it doesn't show any other worrying signs (asymmetrical, large in size, different colours, bleeding, crusty or itchy) there is less chance it's anything suspicious. However, your GP will have a good look at the photos &, if worried or unsure, will refer you to dermatology who will check your mole with a dermascope. If it shows anything worrying they will arrange to remove it and send it for a biopsy. 75% of patients that get referred to dermatology are given a clean bill of health so the odds are massively stacked in your favour for a good outcome.

With regards to mole mapping - this is usually only offered on the NHS if a patient has been referred to dermatology, they have 100+ moles and there is a worry that any could turn dysplastic or cancerous. This is usually because the patient has far too many moles to be kept in check visually so it's not even offered to patients who have only a few moles but have been diagnosed with melanoma! I'm afraid GP's can't refer for mole mapping as the NHS couldn't cope with the amount of referrals. Mole mapping can be arranged by the patient privately - there are several clinics in the UK that offer the service but it's quite expensive. So I think it's best to wait until your GP gets back to you to see if they are referring you to dermatology & then take it from there. 

Meanwhile, try not to fixate on your mole(s) and try not to Google as the information is out of date and only focuses on worse case scenarios which frighten people! I hope you aren't waiting too long for your GP to get back to you. Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (melanoma patient)

Hi Angie, 

Thanks for all the information about the mole mapping I will definitely keep it all in mind. 
 

I have just heard back from the GP (they got another doctor to look at the pictures I sent) she said that the mole was quite an unusual shape and colour and therefore they are referring me to dermatology.
 

Im not sure how long the referral will take, probably a few weeks. I'm very worried but I am also relieved that it is going to be looked at property.

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply, this forum has really helped to keep me sane during this horrible time. I will let you know how i get on !! 
 

All the best, 

Holly  xxx

Hi Holly,

Thats good they are referring you, however just because its viewed as unusual shape then dont automatically assume the worst. I have one that looks like a child's drawing of a fish... no joke turned out to be fine, ive also had a two tone dark mole oddly shaped, this was a mildly dysplastic nexus which is a benign growth that can mimic melanoma. 

Try not to worry too much, I know that's easier said than done but rest assured how rare melanoma actually is as someone has previously said, the odds are in your favour. 

Hope you get on well

Gee

Hi everyone, 

a little update on the mole. After having a shower this morning I've noticed that the mole has fallen off and left behind just a red sore on my back. 
 

Does anyone know if this is normal ?

And should I speak to the doctor about it ? 

obviously I've got my referral to the dermatologist, how will they be able to examine it if it's not there ? 
 

any help would be great !! 
 

all the best 

Holly xx 

Hi Holly,

It's not unusual for moles to fall off or disappear and to sometimes regrow again or disappear completely. However, you still need to see the dermatologist to be on the safe side. Do you still have the photos you took for the GP? If so, keep them & also take a photo today of the red mark that's left behind. Whilst waiting for your appointment, if any other changes occur (such as it starts to regrow) keep taking photos so you can show the consultant a diary of what has happened. Even if there is nothing for them to see on your body anymore it gives them an idea as to whether the mole was suspicious before it fell off. Hopefully it was quite innocent but it still needs checking out, especially for your peace of mind. Hopefully your GP referred you under the 2 week rule so you shouldn't have too long to wait for an appointment.

Angie x

Hi Angie

I'm definitely still going to see the dermatologist and yes I've still got the pictures of what it looked like before and what it looks like now, so I will be sure to show them. 
 

ive got the confirmation for the referral from the GP through so just waiting to hear back from the dermatologist for the actual date of the appointment. 
 

all the waiting is horrible !! I don't know if they have put me through for the 2 week refueral (part of me hopes that have so that I can get some answers) so I suppose I will just have to Wait and see. 
 

thanks again for replying 

All the best, 

Holly xxx