Cancer Research UK main site

Mole referral

Charlie98_
Offline

Hi all! My names Charlie I'm from the uk. Just hoping for some advice on here. So I noticed two strange moles on my back lighter in the middle and dark on the outside of the mole, the light part is so light it just looks like skin. So a very multicoloured mole. I went to my gp today and she was very worried she said if anything comes back bad she thinks it's just localised as the mole isn't to big. I'm heartbroken really preparing for the worst and scared it's going to be bad news. Have a urgent referral she said could take about 10 days or sooner because I told her how this area is usually badly sun burnt. I feel so silly for only going now I noticed these moles a year ago but thought nothing of it. I just need some friendly advice of anyone who's ever gone through this because I'm beyond grief right now. 

  • Offline

    Hi Charlie98,

    I went through this - I left a mole for a year when I knew it had changed but I kept putting it off. It turned out to be melanoma. However, that was 25 years ago! It was early stage (1b) and yes,I was unlucky in that it returned Stage 3 after 13 years but I'm still here fit & well. In all that time melanoma has gone from being the hardest cancer to treat (if it spreads, chemo & radiotherapy don't work) to there now being drug treatments (for Stage 3 & 4 patients) and these treatments are showing great promise.

    So there is every chance it's not melanoma (even though the GP is worried - 75% of referrals get a clean bill of health), or if it is, it's early stage. Even if it's had time to grow in that year (some grow very slowly & are still early stage after a year) treatment is available and has a very good chance of working. I didn't have any drug treatment, only surgery, so some patients like me even get through it against the odds so try not to think too far ahead and think it's a fait accompli - it most certainly isn't.

    Good luck with your appointment when it comes through. They will check the mole with a dermatascope and decide if it's fine or needs removing for a biopsy. You will be better informed once you've had the appointment. Please let us know how you get on,

    Angie

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Hi both of you.

    It's all very scary waiting for results etc. I especially found how quickly things moved quite overwhelming at points. Everything felt like a complete whirlwind 2 months! 
    I found it difficult to talk to people whilst waiting after an excision biopsy, I kind of took deep breaths and pushed my anxiety to the back of my mind. (Possibly not helpful for my family). 
    My results indeed came back as Malenoma, however in-situ, so I'm very lucky! However the pathologists did see some regression of concern, so in I went for a Wider Excision 2 weeks ago and stitches out tomorrow.

    This time I am not as anxious regarding the results and fingers crossed the surgical treatment has worked.

    You are right in the fact that most come back completely normal, even if not, many come back with, at most, a not so nice, yet small price to pay surgical treatment. 
    However the beginning and not knowing is very stressful! 
    Good luck with everything and I really hope everything is ok Charlie. 

    Angie T, I meant to update on here, however it's been mad here and the day after my WLE my daughter tested positive for COVID... on a positive towards isolation... 10 days from work to rest those stitches . Please continue to stay well Angie x

  • Offline in reply to RosieL4

    Glad to hear it was an in-situ Rosie - at least it's the best of a bad bunch! Rest up and I hope your daughter is Ok xx

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.