Hi 1974,

Welcome to Cancer Chat. I can understand this must be worrying but it's good that you've got this checked out - try to focus on the next steps you have and that you have the medical team dealing with this. I'm sure you'll get the answers you need soon and I'm glad that you hopefully don't have much longer to wait for your appointment.

Hopefully the forum can provide some small support for you, even if it's just a case of writing things down and reaching out to others.

I hope that things go well this week.

Wishing you all the best,

Ben
Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi,

I know how anxious you will feel but it's good that your mole is being removed quickly. It's normal to look on the bleakest side but until the biopsy shows it's melanoma there is still a small chance that the dermatologist has got it wrong. That is why a biopsy is the only foolproof way to diagnose melanoma - it's such a sneaky, unpredictable cancer.

If it is melanoma, there is still a good chance it's been caught early and can be successfully treated with further surgery and a period of monitoring. So try not to think the worst and don't beat yourself up about not checking them frequently lately, it's good that you know what to look out for!

Good luck with the excision and the results. Please let us know how you get on.

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Hi Angie

Thank you so much for replying. Yes I'll let you know how it goes. I'm very nervous but trying to keep myself busy 

Hey, please could I ask how you are getting on, I have just found a brown and black mole and I'm now freaking out. I have been to the doctors and waiting on my dermatology appointment to come through.

thanks 

Hello SKenna3. I'm sorry to hear you've recently found a mole that looks suspicious. Try not to freak out until you've seen the dermatologist. Easier said than done but from experience freaking out until you have the full facts plays havoc with your overall health and well-being.  As you've probably read I also found a suspicious mole that unfortunately turned out to be melanoma. The good news is that  fortunately it was only stage 1A and has now been removed completely with a second operation. I'm just on 3 monthly checks for a year or two. I totally understand why you are worrying but please try to keep yourself occupied until you've seen the derm. They will tell you if they think you require a biopsy. Please keep in touch and let me know how you get on and if you need to chat more I'll happily chat away. Take care of yourself x 

Yeah my appointment isn't until next Friday and it's torture. I'm a mum of 2 aswell so all I can think about is the worst for them.

Thank goodness you spotted yours early!

Was your mole very large? Did you feel any different? Have any other side effects? 
 

thank you so much! X

Hello SKenna3. Try not to worry at the moment, I know that's easier said than done but there's a really good chance if and it's a big if it's something suspicious or melanoma that it's been caught early. Mine was fully removed with the biopsy and the 2nd operation was a belt and braces to try and stop any reacurrance. I'd had my mole on my lower leg for over 20 years and i noticed it had changed. It had grown to 7mm and part of it had gone dark brown/black. It was flat and not ulcerated or bleeding. It still looked awful to me and the derm told me what he suspected but they can only confirm once the biopsy is done. Mine was superficial spreading melanoma stage 1A. I didn't have any symptoms apart from how the mole looked but some people do seem to experience itching. I hope your appointment comes round quickly as the waiting is by far the worst bit. Good luck and let me know how you get on. If you want to private message me send me a request and I will happily accept ️ Take care x 

Hello SKenna3, just wondering how you are?  I remember the waiting game all too well, so just wanted to check in with you and make sure you're ok.  K x

Hey 1974,

Thank you for thinking of me, I would love to private message but I don't actually know how to?

I actually paid and went to see a private dermatologist last Friday. The stress was making me ill, I couldn't stop crying. The dermatologist said it could be nothing or cancer in the early stages, but the mole wasn't shouting at him that he thought it needed to come off right away and he thought I should wait and do it through the NHS, but it is definitely being removed. My NHS appointment is tomorrow morning. I feel like I don't know if I should read between the lines with his comment or take it for what he said. 
I have had two atypical moles removed previously and this mole looks completely different to them. I actually downloaded a skin app and was given the high risk alert by that. 
I just want the removal and results to come as fast as possible. I just want to move on from it. 
 

Hiya. I'm glad you've managed to at least see a private dermatologist and I'd be encouraged by what they've told you. The only way to know 100% whether it's melanoma or not is the biopsy unfortunately. My dermatologist told me when I first saw him that he didn't like the look of it and tried to fit me in the same day for biopsy. That concerned me a lot and I knew in the back of my mind that it was more than likely melanoma. Hopefully you'll get the results quickly but be prepared to possibly have to wait 4-6 weeks as that seems to be the length of time it takes for the results.  Best of luck for tomorrow x ps I'll try and send you a friend request if I can manage it ha!!