Hi Amy,

Firstly, step away from Dr Google - it's out of date and focuses only on the worse case scenarios.

When it comes to looking at moles, the NICE guidance tells GPs to arrange for photos to be taken at the hospital for a dermatologist to look at, or for a direct referral to a dermatologist if the GP is unsure about a mole. In your case, the first option was chosen - those photos were then viewed by the dermatologist. At that point the dermatologist couldn't tell for sure, from a photo, that your mole looked completely normal - if they have any doubt they have to err on the side of caution & look at the mole in the flesh. At this point they will examine it using a dermascope which shows them if the cell structure of the mole is changing. If it isn't they will discharge you as your mole is benign. If there appears to be changes they will arrange for it to be removed for biopsy - a biopsy being the only way to tell why the cells are changing.

Results can take one of three forms - the mole is completely benign, or it's dysplastic (atypical) or it's malignant. Most results show option one or two. A dysplastic mole is one that exhibits irregularities (the ABCDE rule) but it's actually benign. However, dysplastic moles have the ability to turn malignant in the future so they prefer to ensure they've been removed & they monitor any other moles to ensure they are not dysplastic too.

I know that you will be thinking about what your friend has gone through but try not to associate your experience with theirs as every melanoma & every melanoma patient's experience is different. The good thing is that you are being pro-active and it's being checked out thoroughly. Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (melanoma patient)