Hi,

I'm assuming you have lots of moles? If you have over 100 then it's a good choice to have mole mapping as there is more chance of having at least one dysplastic (atypical) mole. These can turn cancerous so mole mapping helps to catch them before they do any damage. Meanwhile, I hope you get a quick appointment through and the dermatologist can give you some peace of mind. Don't panic if they suggest the mole's removal for biopsy - that's the only way to know if a mole is benign, dysplastic or melanoma. You have a 75% chance of the mole being OK so try not to overthink things and wait to see what the expert says. Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Thanks a lot Angie, you sound very knowledgable. I am not even knowledgable with the amount I have sadly. I have them randomly scattered around my body - I didn't think I had that many but they quickly add up! Hopefully it's not more than 100, but now it's brought to my attention I am going to try monitor more closely.  I can't believe I neglected it for so long. 
 

I have an appointment next Wednesday, I will be thankful if they take it off- and I hope they do to be honest. 
 

But my anxiety is very high. The letter I recieived has advised me to bring someone along with me as many people find it helpful. I'm worrying about this, becuase I thought that because of COVID-19 people weren't allowed to bring a person of support.  I think maybe they are very anxious after seeing my referral photos from the GP now. 
 

thanks for your help. I am going to let you know regardless. I find it harder as my family live in a different country, I am trying to tak through things with my mum but I don't want to cause her excessive worry when I'm not there either 
 

Don't worry about the 'bring someone with you' part of the letter. This is said in all the letters that were sent out pre-Covid so it sounds like your hospital is getting back to some normality. It's not said because they are expecting to give bad news, it's said because having someone with you means you don't miss everything that's being said or forget to ask something. I suggest you discuss any questions you want to ask with the person that attends with you - that way they can chip in if you forget to ask something!

They will examine the mole with a dermascope which will show any unusual cell activity & they will then make their decision from that.The worst that can happen on Wednesday is that they say they want to remove it for biopsy, which is what you want anyway! Any information given will be about the procedure etc so, if they don't mention something, don't be afraid to ask (such as, what are the current waiting times for removal and results and how will you be told the results ie.letter, phone or by appointment). 

Try to distract yourself until then. You are going into an unknown situation &, because it's unknown, worry won't help or change anything but it will make you feel ill. Good luck & let us know how it goes,

Angie 

Thanks Angie for all your wise words. You are very wel informed, so it's nice to hear what you say.

is there any specific questions which you would recommend I ask- obviously I'll ask about waiting lists, opinions etc. It might be a good idea for me to have a background idea of some questions.

also, do you think if I asked that he would look at another one of my moles? I have one on my upper leg which I've now noticed has tiny black spots, whilst I'm there I'd sooner he looks at it. 
 

thanks,

jenny 

Hi Jenny,

Yes they will look at any other mole(s) you point out that are worrying you - they do usually run their eyes over them anyway but certainly ask if they don't mention it. 

Questions to ask are really what I've already mentioned in my previous reply. They can't really give you any more information than that until the results are back. There is no point jumping ahead to questions regarding a positive result as there are too many variables to consider and it would only fuel unnecessary anxiety. If a decision is made to remove the mole you will be given further information post surgery anyway.

Good luck on Wednesday and meanwhile try & have a nice weekend,

Angie

Just to let you know, I've had my dermatology appointment. They said that my mole was nothing to be concerned about and decided not to remove it. She looked at all my other moles and told me they are fine also. 
 

it just goes to show the importance of waiting for a specialists opinion and not going to doctor google. I spent 2 weeks worrying myself, crying and expecting the worse. 
 

The mole I was concerned about was 2 different shades of brown, irregular borders and half raised. She told me it's absolutely normal.  It was checked by two doctors (one trainee and the other consultant). 
 

thanks to everyone for their kind words. If anyone who is waiting to get a mole checked read this- don't be like me and start looking at photos online, comparing them etc. Everyone is different, and you are doing yourself more harm than good. 
 

From now on I'll monitor them monthly, and like my dermatologist said if there are any issues my GP will refer me back. It's not wasting anyone's time. The only time I wasted was my own, giving myself panic attacks and becoming obsesssive, for an outcome I wouldn't have been able to change regardless of the results. 
 

thanks to everyone on this lovely community for their comforting words and experiences regardless. It is good to know there is a strong community if ever required one day