Hi - you've done the right thing going back to the GP about this new change. But, hopefully it will turn out to be nothing to worry about as before. I think the statistics are that around 75 percent of urgent skin cancer referrals turn out to be benign, 20 percent dysplastic and only 5 percent cancer. I've been through exactly this scenario and – luckily for me – despite the itching my (previously benign mole - like yours it had been previously checked) turned out to be dysplastic rather than cancerous. So don't get yourself overly worked up. Remember urgent referrals are to exclude cancer. An urgent referral does not mean you have cancer.

Thank you for your reply it means a lot especially as I don't want to talk about this with family or friends. I'm praying it's not cancer but at the same time thinking if it is then please let it be in the early stages. My youngest is 6, my boys have only me, no dad involved. Think I'm just scared for my children. Hope my appointment comes through quickly 

Hi,

You've already been given great advice from Sunscared. It's good that your GP is getting an expert to look at it. Hopefully they can put your mind at rest but don't panic if they want it removed for a biopsy - it doesn't mean it's definitely melanoma, it just means that some moles are difficult to assess so a biopsy confirms if it's benign, melanoma or dysplastic (pre-cancerous). If it does turn out to be melanoma it's not the end of the world - surgical treatment usually sorts it out in most cases & if not, drug treatments are now showing great results. We are here to talk to so don't feel you are alone. Good luck with your appointment and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Hi - yes the waiting is tough. I actually had four moles removed that were dysplastic. The one that was itching was also inflamed. No cancers to date though there is a family history. Try and find ways to alleviate your anxiety. Little ones tend to pick up on it otherwise. Not that I don't get anxious myself! I've been known to do repeat body scans over and over in bed to calm my racing mind every time I'm waiting on yet another pathology report. I had a baby at the time I had my first dysplastic mole (it appeared suddenly during pregnancy). Try not to think too far ahead. It makes the waiting worse.

I'm actually panicking now as I've just found loads of little spots under my breasts. Im Sure they were there a few months ago. I was checking the spot on my back and thought I would check rest of my body. When I took my bra off and lifted my breasts up there were absolutely loads of tiny ones. I'm really scared that it's definitely cancer and it's spread everywhere. I don't know what to do

There are lots of harmless things those little spots could be. Spots creep up on us. I've got other benign skin conditions than moles. Dermatologist will be able to say what they are. Please try and stop worrying. Worrying is infectious. You need to try and stay calm.   It sounds a bit odd that melanoma on the back would manifest elsewhere as spots under the breast. Hope you manage to get a decent night's sleep. You need some form of relaxation plan! Don't waste time. Try and relax and enjoy summer with your children. Take care. X

Thank you for your reply, managed to sleep but woke up many times. Just a worrying time until I've been seen and every little mark and ache will make my mind go in over drive. 

Pleased you managed to get some sleep despite all the worries. Try and take things one day at a time. Be kind to yourself. 

Try not to panic about the spots that have appeared. Melanoma doesn't usually present in this way so it's very unlikely to be linked to your mole. I get lots of spots under my breasts in warm weather - I think it's a type of heat rash. I manage to prevent it by putting baby powder in the area after my daily shower.

I'm glad you managed to get some sleep. It's normal to worry about every little ache & pain when you are awaiting a consultation. Don't be afraid to tell the dermatologist about anything else on your skin that's worrying you and I'm sure they will be able to put your mind at rest. 

As Sunscared says, one day at a time. I like to use the analogy of crossing a room to get to a door at the other side. That door leads through to the next step - in your case, a referral appointment. You don't & can't know what is behind that door until the time arrives to go through it. There is no point worrying or jumping ahead to worse case scenarios in your head because that door isn't going to open until the right time. Once opened (your appointment) you will know more &, if they are happy the mole is fine, the next door that opens takes you into the outside world. If they decide it needs removing for biopsy, you now have to walk across the room to the next door which can't be opened until you reach your surgery date - and so on. It helps to compartmentalise our emotions and fears and stops our mind running away with itself. So if you find yourself unable to sleep, just tell yourself you are only halfway across that room at the moment and focusing on what is behind the door is only going to cause (possibly unnecessary) worry. xx