Hi, I think you should take the doctor's lack of concern as a good sign. I was referred on a urgent referral because it's part of the course if cancer is suspected. That doesn't even mean they think you have cancer. It's for the possibility of cancer. Your doctor doesn't even think it's a possibility.

You have to trust that they have more experience with this than you. She would have seen more moles with cancer and without than you. 

You're already going to the clinic so it will be a good reference point and information is power. But honestly, nothing you've said makes me think you have cancer and I've never met you. Now go get yourself that peace of mind. 

Medical anxiety is a cruel beast. But whether it is or it isn't isn't in your control. You have taken the power back by going to have it investigated. Stay strong. You can do this. You are doing this.

Thank you so much for your reply :-)

What was the outcome for you? How are you doing?

Thanks for your words of reassurance.  It was a private skin clinic I went to and when I spoke to the receptionist after my appointment she said that if the dermatologist that I saw had been very concerned she would have discussed pricing and getting me back in.  I really am clinging on to that.

I rang my GP after my appointment and explained situation and she agreed to do an urgent referral to an NHS dermatologist for it to be looked at / removed.

I hope the outcome was positive for you x

I'm so glad the outcome was good for you.  It must have been such a worrying time being referred urgently.

I've had 2 removed already after seeing dermatologist on NHS.  I've got scars where they were removed but am glad they've gone.  

The private dermatologist said this is my darkest one.  I contacted her today explaining how worried I am and she said a change doesn't necessarily mean it's malignant but good to get it removed as a precaution.  She explained how the high resolution camera picks up changes like this that the naked eye can't always see.  I went for this private check to get something else looked at and am so glad I went now because I would honestly not have noticed the subtle change to this mole x

Thank you! I have never liked that mole because it always felt creepy to me (it's like someone stuck a 10p to my back) so I was excited at the prospect of getting rid of it. However, I let the dermatologist beat me down over having it removed. I didn't have the energy to fight him.

But that's the beauty of moles is that they don't serve a purpose and can be removed! I think it's the best thing to do if you can. Who needs added stress in their life. I'm actually on here because I'm going to the breast clinic as a precaution as I have a breast lump and my mum passed away from breast cancer 18 months ago. My doctor and I think it's breast tissue but since we can't be sure, off I go. 

I had two types of camera used on my mole (couldn't tell you what as it was a couple of years ago now) and I found it pretty cool that it could pick up changes like it did. Science! Saving our butts! 

It's really good you're on top of them. I have to get the doctor to take a look since all my big ones are on my back and I'm single! XD Do you have a biannual schedule to get them checked? Might be worth looking into. 

I'm so sorry about your mum x I really hope everything is ok when you get the lump checked.

If you're concerned about your moles or can't see them you should definitely have a check.  I found a local clinic and go every 12 months.  They check them all and you can tell them if there are any you're worried about.   If there is anything that concerns them they'll recommend you go more regularly but when I saw her last year she said once every 12 months was ok.  I'm plastered in what I thought were moles / freckles but the majority actually aren't and she called them something else.  That might also put your mind at rest.  It's about £200 for the check.  I honestly wouldn't have noticed that this one on my side had changed.  She described it as having grown a small tail but it was only under the high definition camera that it was really noticeable x

Thank you. x It's hard. Particularly to deal with a lot of firsts during a pandemic. 2020 can stick it. XD

I am looking into getting medical insurance so it would be a very good thing if they could do that. Even better if they could remove them when asked to. I only have 4 that I would say I'm concerned about, not even including the one on my face (makes getting my eyebrows waxed interesting). The one that always gets pulled off and then I have three on my back that I could happy live without. 

And see! When you talk about them, that's very calm and rational thought. Hold on to that. I feel like the worst thing about the process is the ebbs and flows. When you feel perfectly sane about the whole thing and then when the anxiety tries to run the rodeo and you're dead in the next 6 months. XD 

Could be worse. Could get hit by a bus tomorrow. :P

Thanks again - It's good talking to someone who understands.

If you've got a mole catching on clothing etc you'd probably get that removed on NHS.  I have before.  It wasn't one I was concerned about but it was catching.

I think what you say is very true - With what's been going on this year it makes you think about your life and health a lot more.  Plus for me I work from home during week so more time to think/dwell on things.

I'm feeling slightly less panicked today.  I've been reading the dermatologist's email from last night and thinking / hoping there's not as much urgency in her tone as there would be if she was worried about this.

She said she'll extend her clinic and remove it so I'm not worrying "unnecessarily" over Xmas x

Hi [@WalesSam]‍,

Hope you don't mind me jumping on your post. How did you get on with having your mole removed? Hope it all went well? Did it take long for you to get your results?

I've found myself in a similar situation to you and had been seeing a dermatologist on the NHS for a mole on my lower leg,  the mole they looked at was nothing sinister ans I just had a 6 month follow up, at the second follow up in December I mentioned a different small red mole/lump that had appeared just above my knee and has gotten slightly bigger over the last few months. I had to send photos for review. He called me back and said that they want to do an excision, remove it and do a biopsy. This was on the 21st December.

I've got an appointment for the excision but not until the 14th January and also suffer from anxiety so have convinced myself it's skin cancer. I'm trying my best not to worry and will feel better once it has been removed.

Xx

Hi thanks for your message :-)

I had mine removed by a private dermatologist 2 weeks ago last Saturday but still haven't had the results :-( I was really hoping I wouldn't have to wait this long because that was the point of having it done privately.  I've been absolutely worried sick.  I suffer with anxiety too so can totally understand how you feel.

Has your mole just recently appeared / changed? If you only had your appointment 6 months ago and it wasn't there / wasn't concerning then I would try not to worry because that's quite a small space of time and from what you've said that sounds like you've picked it up and had it checked early.

If it makes you feel any better I was referred twice to NHS dermatologist to have 2 others checked and both times they wrote to me saying they wanted to remove them for further evaluation but both were absolutely fine and it was just a precaution xx