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

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

Thank you very much Angie for your expertise! I think I will call the hospital and ask about the cancellation list... I did mull over the private route but I just don't have the finances to start that ball rolling despite the importance of it! The Nurse Practitioner from my GP said about the wait "you're a spring chicken, cancers of the feet are very slow growing and age is on your side" which is slightly relieving but worrying non the less! I will definitely update as and when I can as I would like to give people some sort of reference if going through anything similar. Thank you once again and wish you luck with your own journey x

I can vouch for the SkinVision app, it is really good. 

It is funny what you say about the Nurse Practitioner. Like all these professionals they know their stuff and as such almost expect you to 100% trust them however, when you are worried you cannot help but have that little bit of doubt. 

I hope things go well with your appointment when it comes round and hopefully you get something sooner. I'll post an update about mine too, always good to form alliances at times in your life like this. 

Hey,

Just a small update... I was called "out of the blue" last Thursday (6th May) by NHS and said that a second consultant had looked at my picture and requested that I be seen quickly so was offered the choice of 2 different hospitals to go to. They were futher away but that's fine, I was just glad I was actually getting seen quicker! So had a letter come through post with new appointment date of 20th May and a leaflet with "Why have I been given a 'Two Week Wait' hospital appointment?" (which I had not received before). Will update again after the appointment. Hope everyone is keeping ok..!

That's good to hear. Hope all goes well at your apointment xx

Hey!

I think your experience confirms a lot of my suspicions with dermatologists and consultants in general. One may not see anything of concern and another just wants it removed on the cautionary side. But I guess any "red flag" would push you down a two week route to ensure it happens so you don't get pushed back again and again. 

I have my appointment (review) tomorrow. I have two on my foot - one is super old and never changed, a little funny in colour but great symmetry and then the other is better on colour but not great symmetry. Funny things moles but as my dermatologist told me, view them as family. You would feel unsettled if someone at a family was not someone you recognised or knew or "looked" very different. Treat moles the same way.

I'll let you know how I get on. A bit nervous now it's only tomorrow.

Matt

Hey!

I think your experience confirms a lot of my suspicions with dermatologists and consultants in general. One may not see anything of concern and another just wants it removed on the cautionary side. But I guess any "red flag" would push you down a two week route to ensure it happens so you don't get pushed back again and again. 

I have my appointment (review) tomorrow. I have two on my foot - one is super old and never changed, a little funny in colour but great symmetry and then the other is better on colour but not great symmetry. Funny things moles but as my dermatologist told me, view them as family. You would feel unsettled if someone at a family was not someone you recognised or knew or "looked" very different. Treat moles the same way.

I'll let you know how I get on. A bit nervous now it's only tomorrow.

Matt

Good luck today! Hope you get on ok :happy:

Hey! 

So it went well today. My dermatologist, a student and a nurse in the room. Both the dermatologist and nurse referred to the photos taken 6 months ago which were on a screen in different angles and colours and they believe now change. So they are happy not to see me for another year. 

He explained a lot to me so I believe all I can do is trust them and wait till next year. 

Hi Matt,

That's really good to hear. Should you find something worrying in the coming year you can always contact them for an appointment. Breathe easy now for another year,

Angie

Had my appointment today! Waiting Room was empty, the Nurse asked the Receptionist if they were finishing up early as the last 3 patients hadn't arrived and she said I was there which caused a sigh. I was in there less than 5 minutes, didn't ask me any family history or any history, looked at 3 moles through the dermascope (I'd noticed 2 more on my arm since the foot) and said they were fine and to just "keep an eye on them", went back to his computer and started typing so I took that as my cue to leave..! So although very relieved I don't feel 100% atm... But I suppose that is the end of my journey here! Well wishes to everyone and thank you for the advice x

It's strange isn't it? We don't want it to be anything bad but when they are not particularly worried we are not entirely at ease either.

You sound like me though. You want some explanation. With my dermatologist he just put it this way - he could pick flaws in numerous moles on my body and if he could remove any risk at all he would literally have to take my skin off and put on a new one. As he can't do that, they can only observe. The ones which have always been there would slowly change over time and once they notice any "red flags" through monitoring they would take evasive action. Unless it screamed "danger" now, he says there is no need to cause me worry and discomfort. 

Just hang on in there, relax, enjoy life, take photos every few months and just know your body. Oh yeah, and slap on the SPF 50 and be sun smart because if we worry this much about moles, lets avoid too many more.

Good luck, have a lovely summer (once it arrives) and drop me a message if you ever need to chat.