Hi Claire - absolutely normal. I've had that letter for suspected skin cancer so many times.

No melanomas yet.

Have had several excisions - all dysplastic.

Some people will get referred and turns out to be benign.

The clinics are for anything that could be suspicious for possible melanoma. Doesn't mean you have one just that your mole needs checking urgently so melanoma can be excluded/treated.

Please stay calm. I've been through that clinic four times now. Still no melanomas...

Hope you get good news too.

They like to prepare you as surgery can be on the day if they decide something needs urgent biopsy/removal. Sunny xx

Thanks Sunny, 

I know we have spoke before and I've really appreciated both you and Angie T comments and responses. 
I has this with abnormal cells after a smear a few years back so I should know what it's like but still scary. 
it just caught me off guard even tho I knew it was coming, me and my partner are supposed to be looking for a house to buy so this has just stressed me out a bit when a few weeks ago we were so excited and now I feel like An emotional mess. Thanks for confirming it's normal to receive it on a letter . 
claire xx 

 

Hi Claire

Your feelings are entirely normal.

I got caught off guard by the letter first time around too. Remember how it felt. But they want you to take the referral seriously and turn up rather than not. 

I had two of those letters in past 4 months, plus several more over the past decade and I still get that little flip when I see those words "suspected skin cancer" even though I know it doesn't mean I actually have it.

Try to distract yourself and not worry too much. Sunny xx

Hi, 

Mine was an appointment at breast clinic and it said suspected breast cancer on mine. Turned out it isn't though so I think it may be what they put on letters x

Thanks so much for replying, I think your right!! Does t help with stress but totally get why they do it!! I'm glad you had a clear result and thank you so much for getting back to me xx 

I hope it all goes well for you. Mine was 3 weeks ago now and I'm only just starting to relax. Its hard when the thing is still there but it's not cancerous so I'm thankful for that X

Thank you, I hope so too. Going to try and stay positive xx

Hi Claire. How long did you wait between your GP appointment and the letter to arrive? Was your appointment within the 2 weeks?

My doctor referred me on an urgent referral (suspect mole) 10 or so days ago. She literally said"should be 2-3 weeks but who knows at the moment". I'm just wondering how Covid 19 is affecting referral waiting times.

I think I just feel anxious and will feel a bit better when I at least have an appointment scheduled. Wondering how long to leave it before I chase up the doctors, I don't want to bug them unnecessarily at this time x

Hello, 

I went to the doctors on the 12th of aug had a letter come through on Tuesday confirming my referral and that the dermatologist would phone me with my appointment it also said if I hadn't heard by 14th august to call, I called as I had no appointment and was starting to worry, I called on Tuesday and was told they had to get more staff due to demand and someone would be in touch later that day or Wednesday- no call by 3pm so I called and the hospital couldn't find my record! So I got upset and ended up calling my doctor who phoned me back 10mins later for an appointment today at 11:20. It turned out receptionist was looking at inpatients system not out!! My doctor also advised me if i hadn't heard to call them and not leave it so I would phone on Monday if you've not had anything, they are busy but they still need to see urgent referrals in 2 weeks I believe. If you have a number for the dermatology department give them a ring. 

I felt so anxious also the not knowing was hard but I went today and I got discharged with innocent moles, try not worry too much- sometimes they can look funny , I was convinced it was a bad one but it's all innocent. 
i hope this helps a bit. 
wish you all the best and if you need to ask anything else please do 

Claire