Hi,

I'm afraid I can't answer whether it's common to get moles or freckles on the vulva but I do know that it's not rare and it doesn't mean they will be cancerous. I do think though that you need to get a second opinion, if only to answer your question and for your peace of mind. If your GP practice has more than one GP, ask to see one of those, you are entitled to a second opinion. The other option is to pay to get a consultation at a private clinic if you can afford to. 

Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Hi Angie,

Thanks so much for your advice and replying. I decided to think on it for a while but my GP called me out of the blue last week. He had discussed it with colleagues since and they advised to refer me to a specialist after deciding it's a bit unusual. I asked if it was just to be cautious, which he said it was.

I am a little nervous but the specialist asked for pictures so they may decide not to see me but a second opinion will be reassuring.

wishing you all the best X 

Hi,

I'm glad that they decided to let the experts take a look at the photos. Hopefully they won't need to see you and can put your mind at rest but don't panic if they ask to see you - it's better to be safe than sorry. Please let us know what happens & good luck,

Angie

Hi Jo8, 

Really glad someone is seeing you on Wednesday. I haven't heard anything from the hospital/specialist  past two weeks, so going to call my GP on Wednesday and may consider going private. I also drove myself a bit crazy with google, am staying away from it now but it's still on my mind. 

Really hope everything goes well for you, let us know X 

Honestly I can't recommend going private enough there was no hope I could have sat for Scotland's referral times I'm going stir crazy already and I only had the gp appointment on Monday! I've been panicking myself beyond belief and it's just awful! I don't have any other symptoms except for one mole that has grown and the fact the doctor at my gp wasn't exactly kind woth her wording! 
 

keep me updated with how you get on with your gp! I've got everything crossed for you honey! ♥️

Hi Els,

I hope you hear from the hospital before you have to ring your GP. If not, please ask your GP what date they sent the referral through and confirm they sent it on the 2 week cancer pathway otherwise, if sent non-urgent, it can take anything up to 18 weeks! If they sent it on a 2 week referral, leave it until Friday & if you don't get an appointment through by then, ring the dermatology dept at the hospital to see if they have received it from your GP and if they have an appointment scheduled for you yet - at least they should be able to give you some idea as to how long you will be waiting.

If they are very behind with their list, or if the GP sent it non-urgent, I would then consider going privately if you can afford it. If the private dermatologist says it needs removing, they can then send your GP a letter instructing them to refer you on the 2 week pathway to the NHS for it removing. This means you will then only have to pay for the private consultation. Of course, if you can afford for the biopsy removal privately, then that will be quicker. You can change back to NHS care at any time.

Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Hi jo8,

I'm sorry that you find yourself in this position and that you are having to go private. The same advice I gave Els also applies to you - you can change back to NHS care at any time if you can't afford to be treated privately once you've had the consultation. It at least makes the first part of the journey quicker and hopefully that's the only thing you will need & they put your mind at rest straight away.

Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Hi AngieT

i swear you are the kindest human ever!! Thank you so much that is so kind of you! I have my private appointment on Wednesday and I'm so hoping he will take a biopsy then and have some good news because my mind has been going crazy and I can't help but keep googling everything! I hope you are safe and well and the second I hear anything you and Els29 will be the first people to know!

sending lots of love and hope you're both having a lovely relaxing Sunday! ♥️

Hi girls!

So just homew from the private hospital! So they Don't think it is anything cancerous but they still want to remove it so because of the area I'll be going in for a surgery in the coming weeks hopefully! Dr today asked what my gp said and he was not happy at all when I told him she had said it was urgent cancer refferal he said she should never ever have said that!

hope you're both safe and well! X