How long ago did you notice the mole change?

If it's recent then you likely don't have much to worry about because even the worst case scenario would be very unlikely to be very bad at all. By this I mean that, even if it is a cancer, it's very likely to be confined to the most superficial layer of your skin, if the change is very recent. That's super important because any cancer in the most superficial layer of the skin has no chance of spreading anywhere. In such cases, even if it is a cancer, they simply remove it and then check you, regularly for any recurrence or new moles.

Hi there and thank you so much for replying to me. I think it might have been there a couple of months. I didn't really think anything of it until I researched and realised I needed to go. The screening nurse seemed so serious that it's made me incredibly anxious. 
x 

Hi MyLou34

The important thing to remember is you have noticed it quickly and it is getting looked at tomorrow. Early detection is key so well done for noticing it and getting it checked out. It may well turn out to be nothing to worry about, and even if it is you have caught it quickly so try not to worry. Do let us know how it goes tomorrow and good luck!

Hi,

It's good that your mole is getting checked out tomorrow - was it the nurse at your GP surgery and are you seeing the GP? Some GP's have a special interest in dermatology and have been trained to look at moles through a dermascope. This shows them if there are any cell changes in the mole & if there are, they will refer you to the Dermatology Clinic at the hospital. If there are no changes the mole is benign & they can give you a clean bill of health there & then. If the GP doesn't specialise in dermatology, they will check the mole against the ABCD rules &, if the changes score a certain amount of points, they will refer you to Dermatology. If the changes don't score the requisite points they may suggest you monitor it for a couple of months. You can do this by placing a ruler next to the mole & taking a photo of it every week. This will show any gradual small changes in size, colour or shape and you can show the photos to the GP when you next see them.

I'm sure that, if the mole has only changed recently, it may still be fine. If not, you've caught it very early and it will be fine once removed. I suggest you try to keep busy to distract yourself while you wait for the appointment. Good luck & please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient)

Hi and thank you so much for replying to me. I actually had an online video call with someone at a skin clinic and tomorrow I am going to a specialist mole clinic as my anxiety is truly out of control. I wanted to be seen by a dermatologist as soon as I could. The waiting is so difficult and everything I read tells me what I have looks like the worst case scenario. 
Thanks again for taking to time to reply. I really appreciate  it x 

That's good to hear that you are going to a specialist mole clinic - it cuts out the waiting time. Don't Google - the information is behind the times and doesn't reflect the true landscape of melanoma care and statistics. You will be given plenty of advice & leaflets to read tomorrow so wait until then. xx