Hi Sara and welcome to the forum.

As many of our members will tell you, the waiting really is the hardest part of this process but hopefully it won't be long before you hear from the dermatologist.

Hopefully some of our members who have been on this journey will share their experiences and advice with you soon but in the meantime, I hope this information we have about urgent referrals will put your mind at ease.

All the best,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator 

Hi Sara,

I have been through a similar experience recently so hope I can help with regard to timelines.  I went to see my GP the day before Christmas Eve and I was referred as an urgent referral.  I recceived a text the following day with a referral letter giving me an appointment date of January 6th. This was extremely fast and I think probably because of the time of year that I went there were probably not many people going ot the GP.  I had my appointment and the dermatologist didn't like the look of the mole and so it had to be removed.  I had mine removed the same day with local anaesthetic but this isn't always the case, originally I had an appointment for a couple of days later but they managed to fit me in.  I received a call to set up a follow up appointment which is on Friday (22nd) so I will get my results then.  I am very nervous and concerned for the outcome but the important thing is that it has been handled swiftly.  I think most cases of suspicious looking moles are referred as an urgent case so please don't be too alarmed by that (as I was too but a friend had a similar experience and it was all fine).  I hope this helps.  Let us know how you get on.  Jade x

Hi jade 

Thanks for your reply. 
That's good yours was so quick and now it's off that must be a relief I hope that your results are good news also. Keep us updated. 
feeling a little better today I was Googling A lot of stuff but have band myself now as was making me feel worse. 
can I ask what your mole was like. 
 

thanks Sara x 

Hi Steph 

thanks for your reply and thankyou for the information on urgent referrals

sara x 

Hi Sara, Glad to hear that you are feeling better. I  did exactly the same and have stopped Googling now!  There is much more useful information on this forum.

The mole was on my arm.  I think I have had it for a number of years (I was searching through old photos to see if I could see it when I first noticed it seemed quite large, lol) but it had started to look a bit bigger and darker.  I kept my eye on it for a few months and I wasn't actually certain that it was getting any bigger so just kept a check on it.  Then it started to change and look a little red around the edges and the edges started to look very uneven.  It was when it started to feel dry and a bit 'crusty' shortly after that I realised that I really needed to get it checked out. The doctor measured it as 6mm.  Everyone will be different and not all moles are malignant so please do remember that.  Do you have some people you can talk to about how you are feeling and to help alleviate your anxiety?  I am listening to loads of podcasts to keep my mind off things! :happy:

Hi jade 

Thanks for your reply, yes I have my partner who is helping me take my mind off things for now until I know what's going on. 
I hope everything goes ok for you x