Hi - if you are able to print out a photo showing changes in this short time period (if you have previous photo to compare with put in both) put it in an envelope with short note stating your concerns and post through surgery door since you can't get through on the phone. Mark the envelope "Urgent". Make sure you include your name, birth date and/or hospital number on the cover letter and also on the photo.

Hi. I just got through to a receptionist and she said the doctor who dealt with me initially is off this week and she doesn't think they can do anything (as suspected) as the referral is already urgent. So just got to wait till my appointment which I'm hoping will be next week
I was going to ring dermatology but I just have a feeling they can't make an urgent referral even more urgent!

Hi - at least you spoke to someone and know the referral has been done. Hope you get that appointment next week. 

Your GP is in a position to e-mail an updated photo to dermatology consultant direct, which might prioritize you for an urgent cancellation. How referrals are done varies across the country. In our area, you get the letter to do the direct booking, get told dermatology doesn't do direct bookings when you phone the central system, instead they e-mail dermatology, then someone from dermatology calls but they seem to be doing some form of consultant triage too. I got bumped off one time with GP being asked to do further monitoring, but seen at urgent clinic on four other occasions (have had four dysplastic moles removed). So, the changes could be relevant to triage. I guess I'm saying that if you haven't heard by next week, a picture might be helpful to the GP who asked you to get back in touch since you were asked to notify GP of further change.

Hi,

Hopefully you will hear from the hospital in the next few days if the referral was sent through last week. If you haven't heard by next Monday I would contact the Dermatology Department at the hospital and ask if they have sent you an appointment yet. Explain that you have photos of the mole evolving significantly whilst you've been waiting for the appointment - it may not get you a quicker appointment but it may get them to slot you in if they haven't already allotted you an appointment.

Meanwhile, keep a photographic record of the changes as it will be helpful to the dermatologist. In realistic terms, the difference in changes over a few days won't have a huge effect on the diagnosis if it turns out to be malignant - it's if it's left a few weeks & it's evolving quickly that it may be detrimental. 

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

Angie (Stage melanoma patient since 2009)

Hi,

I had a phone call earlier and my appointment is now booked for tomorrow afternoon. I'm glad but scared of the procedure itself. The mole is sadly on my inner groin (right near where my thigh starts but technically on my vagina area) and I'm worried about once the anesthetic wears off being in pain due to where it is and it chafing etc. Has anyone got any experiences they can share to make me feel better or is it a given that it's going to be sore?

Hi,

I'm glad you have an appointment for tomorrow. I understand this is your referral appointment to see the dermatologist? If they think it needs removing they won't necessarily do it tomorrow unless they said they would in the phone call. They usually have you come back as a day patient a few days later.

If they do remove it you may have some discomfort when the local wears off but it shouldn't be too bad if you take paracetamol. I had a groin and pelvic dissection - the scar runs from my inner thigh across the crease of groin and then across my stomach. I only felt discomfort in the crease area so I was just careful whilst sitting down & when getting up & down into a chair. The dressing should stop any chafing but if you find it uncomfortable perhaps wear a pair of thick tights or lycra shorts to protect the area. You may also want to wear something loose like french knickers - anything without elastic around the legs. I mutilated a few pairs of old knickers so my groin didn't feel 'strangled'. 

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

Angie

Thanks for that. I'm very squeamish so anything medical makes me really anxious. I think I just presumed they would biopsy it the same day for some reason, but no they didn't say that on the phone. I will keep you updated, thank you.

Hi Angie,

I had my appointment and the doctor looked at it with a magnifier and could tell it's normal and said no biopsy is needed at all. So that's a relief. I'm quite surprised as my GP was convinced it was an unusual mole that would need investigating further. But I understand GPs don't have as much experience in this area as dermatologists so must be that. 
 

thanks for your replies anyway and hope you are well.