Hi,

I had a mole excised from the sole of my foot a few years ago. I had to stay off my feet for the first 48 hours and keep the foot elevated as it bled a lot. I then hobbled around for another 10 days to ensure the stitches didn't open (some patients are given crutches). I suggest that you get a sick note for 2 weeks off work if your job is on your feet. You can't risk the wound opening, especially as it could get infected. Good luck with your results and please let us know how you get on.

Angie (melanoma patient)

Hi,

I find this really interesting and particularly to hear another case.

So, for years I had one mole on my foot, literally cannot remember when it arrived. A couple of years ago a new one cropped up on the arch of my foot (about half the size of a grain of rice) but I thought nothing of it as I have a number in weird and wonderful places, all small, flat and similar. 

Anyway, after losing my mum (not cancer related) and having my son, along with the moles cropping up here and there I took the decision in November to get them regularly observed and professionally assessed.

Anyway, off to the dermatologist and he did not seem overly concerned but wanted to monitor for changes. I go back in a couple of weeks but to my knowledge it has not changed. Other very faint ones have appeared on my ankle on the other foot and toe but again, these don't concern me. 

My question is, what made your Dermatologists decide to remove. I just find that mine is deciding not to but others I have spoken to have had their removed and then others not. Just seems inconsistent and I do not want something left which could put me at risk. 

Thanks

Hi my dermatologist said yesterday because it was a new mole and given my history of sunbed use etc she thought the best course of action was to remove and then send off for testing. I was very suprised when she said she would arrange for the procedure to happen the same day. It does have an irregular boarder but my gp said that could be due to my skin being different on the sole of my foot. Does your mole have any irregular features or does it look like others on your body? 

I guess mine is slightly irregular but as you say, my dermatologist said it's likely just the skin of the foot and he was quite happy with the colouring. I do have some that are not necessarily "round" but they are all very in common, small and flat. I literally have 4-5 larger raised but even these aren't that big.

From what I gather some dermatologists are more risk averse than others - some choose not to monitor and remove or like mine, observe and keep unless suspicious. 

Just a weird place. I've never used sunbeds and while could have been more responsible in the sun, I almost always had suncream on. 

I guess you just have to trust them. 

Hi Matt,

Moles on the sole of the foot (and palm of the hand) are usually carefully considered as the skin there is different to the rest of the body. The reason mine was removed is because I'd never noticed it before so didn't know if it was new or not. It was found by the surgeon while I was on the op table having a mole removed from my back. As I was already a melanoma patient and I was in my 40's it was decided it needed removing. If I wasn't already a patient and I was younger they would have just monitored it (it's natural for new moles to appear up to your 40's but those that appear later in age are treated with more caution). A mole removal from the sole is quite traumatic. The local anaesthetic is very painful and the recovery period is longer due to weight bearing and more blood loss so all this is considered when deciding if a mole in that area needs to be excised. If you feel unhappy that yours hasn't been removed you can always ask for a second opinion from another dermatologist at the hospital. If you haven't seen the head of Dermatology, perhaps ask for them. 

Angie

Thank you Angie, I have actually been hoping I would hear from you as have seen some of your other posts.

I will be seeing the dermatologist and as is my nature, I will push him for an explanation as to why he is happy to leave it. 

The pain / complexities might be one thing but at 30 I do not want to be worried about something which not even the specialist might be 100% comfortable with. 

I consider myself very aware of my moles and know when a new one springs up. I am only concerned about it because it's just an odd place, but as I have said I've always had one on the sole of my foot too. 

I'll just make the best use of my time with him and see what he says. 

I hope you are well and had no further scares? I lost my auntie to melanoma when she was only in her 40s so like to be very cautious. 

Thank you again. 

Hi Matt, I just wondered if you were seen through the 2 week pathway? I too have a large foot mole and was sent a referral supposedly through the pathway but my appointment isn't until 1st June and (was referred on 29th March) the waiting anxiety is taking a huge toll on my mental health :-(

Hey,

No I did not go through a 2 week pathway. I enquired in September and it took the best part of a couple of months to be seen but this is why I think that was the case...

For one I said I had known of the mole for some time so it was not new. I didn't say it had changed but just looked peculiar in shape - to the GP this did not infer any red flags as atypical moles do happen. I was having none of the concerning symptoms and mine is quite small. I am also under 40 which is a bit of a threshold too. However they did say to call right back if anything concerned me.

I monitored it and eventually my referral arrived.

Now, of you were to say something was concerning you and the doctor felt it was of a worrying nature then I think you'll get pushed through quite quickly. 

My main aim was to get it assessed and having shared and seen other stories the one massive thing I would take away and I am glad I pushed for this...get them to take photos. They need a reference point if they choose not to remove at the time (as is my case). Just looking at it and going "I wouldn't worry go home" then you getting in a mess about it still isn't helpful to anyone.

Try not to worry though. I found that even though I get apprehensive about it I am losing previous "enjoyment" time worrying about something that may be fine but, if it isn't, there is nothing I can do. All I can say is, if anything really is concerning you then raise it with your doctor, otherwise just hold tight and the day will come. 

Thanks for that Matt. Mine was a concern due to an increase in size and irregular, ragged border, etc So my GP had referred under the 2 week pathway for suspected cancer but my appointment with the Skin Specialist isn't until 1st June... When I asked my GP surgery about why the appointment is so far away they just explained "services are very behind because of COVID" but I thought by doing it through the pathway there was an obligation to see me within 14 days? Just seems very confusing and upsetting to go this long worrying :-(

Hi MustangSally,

I know that several hospitals throughout the country are suffering from delays during Covid which isn't helped by a very large lack of dermatologists in some hospitals (a long running recruiting problem). However, your delayed appointment is the longest wait I have yet heard of.

My advice would be threefold - contact the hospital and tell them you would be happy to take a last minute cancellation should one occur (only if you can make it on the same day as the call). This may move your appointment a little closer. I would also ask my GP if there is another hospital in the area that has a shorter waiting list - even if it means travelling further. Lastly, I would consider having my initial appointment privately. In some areas the private appointment lists aren't very much quicker than the NHS ones as the private consultants and staff have also been providing NHS Covid cover but it's worth checking out. Many private dermatologists also do NHS work so if you can afford a private consultation (usually around the £250 mark) and they think your mole is concering & needs removing for biopsy, you can then ask to be transferred to the NHS list for the surgery & further follow up. Doing it this way just sometimes makes the start of the process a little quicker. One of the country's largest private health companies provides dermatology services and you can also find private mole clinics in your area by looking on Google.

I hope this helps & you manage to get seen before 1st June. Please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient)

Hi Matt,

You are right to push for an explanation and possibly removal if the mole is worrying you so much and there is a family history of melanoma.  Meanwhile, have you considered using something like the SkinVision app which may help either ease or confirm your worries? The MelanomaUK charity are receiving testimonials from melanoma patients whose melanoma was picked up by the app when their GP's dismissed their worries. You may find this link interesting www.melanomauk.org.uk/.../21-of-melanomas-undiagnosed-during-covid-19

Thank you for your kind words. I have been in remission (No Evidence of Disease) as a Stage 3 patient for almost 12 years but I never sit on my laurels as my Stage 1 melanoma came back Stage 3 after a 13 year hiatus! I just live each day to the full, just in case :wink:

Good luck with your appointment and please let us know how it goes,

Angie 

Matt,

Forget my advice about the app - I see from another post that you already use it so that's great. Take care,

Angie

Matt,

Forget my advice about the app - I see from another post that you already use it so that's great. Take care,

Angie