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Urgent referral for a mole.

Lily345
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Hello everybody, 

I have an urgent referral on Friday for a suspicious mole at the skin clinic and I was wondering if anybody can tell me how does the appointment go? I only showed one mole to my GP but since the referral, I have looked at others and I am a bit worried about a couple of moles on my leg. It takes weeks to get an appointment at my GP so I was hoping that my other moles could be looked at during my appointment. Will they just check my suspicious mole or perhaps do a full body check anyway?

Thank you for answering my question!

Lily.

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    Hi Lily,

    They will usually check the mole you have been referred for and will be happy to check any other mole you are now worried about so don't be afraid to raise your concerns. Sometimes they will do a full body check, particularly if any mole raises a worry. Some moles they can tell, by the naked eye, if they look fine whilst any they aren't happy with, including the one you are referred with, will usually be examined through a dermascope. This shows them any unusual cell activity within the mole. If they aren't happy with the mole or any other ones they check, they may arrange for it to be removed for a biopsy. It's rarely done on the day as they have to have the time, staff and operating facilities available. So they usually arrange for the patient to return at a later date for the mole to be removed under a local anaesthetic as a day patient. The results are currently taking an average of 6 weeks to come back due to Covid.

    I hope this helps. Good luck on Friday and please let us know how you get on,

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

     

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Hi Angie,

    Thank you so much for answering. I only have a few other moles that I would like to be checked so I think I might just ask during the appointment. Hopefully, they will have the time to check. I also have another urgent referral soon after for a lump in my armpit, hence why I wish to make sure that my moles are not linked to it.

    Thanks again,

    Lily.

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