Hello Nicky2206, 

You did the right thing in getting this mole checked by your GP and I hope that you won't have to wait too long to be seen by the specialist at the dermatology clinic. You will be in the best of hands to have this looked at properly. 

It's normal to be stressing about it but try not to worry about it too much or anticipate what it might be and resist the urge to look anything up on google as this will only make you more anxious. 

It won't be long now until you get this sorted properly. Waiting to find out more and the uncertaintly that goes with it can make us feel really helpless. There are some helpful tips on this page to help you cope while waiting for important news. 

Many on our forum will have been in a similar position before and I hope that they will be along shortly to share their experience with you. 

I am keeping everything crossed for you that this mole turns out to be nothing of concerned and that it can be dealt with easily. 

Best wishes, 

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi,

I know how anxious you must be but please know that 75% of people seen by dermatology are given a clean bill of health after investigation. 20% are found to have dysplastic (precancerous) moles and only 5% are found to be malignant so there is a good chance that your mole will be fine. The photos have obviously raised enough concern for your mole to now been examined by the dermatologist. This will probably be done with a dermascope which shows any unusual cell activity in the mole. If they are happy it looks fine you will be discharged but if they aren't happy they will arrange for it to be removed for biopsy. Again, not everyone that undergoes a biopsy then gets bad news so it's not a fait accompli that it will be melanoma. In the unlucky event it is malignant, it's still not the end of the world. Caught early means there is a 95% chance of successful treatment - treatments have got so much better over the years.

Good luck at your appointment and please let us know how you get on.

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Hello- I hope it's ok if I join this talk.

I have a very painful mole on my leg. The gp asked me to send a picture, and said it was fine, but the pain is driving me mad, and I'm quite scared. It's making me very unhappy. What can I do?

Ginny

Hi Ginny,

 A painful mole is highly unusual and isn't how a malignant mole would usually present. Is the area red which may indicate an infection in the skin under or surrounding the mole? 

It definitely needs looking at so if it was me, I would ask for a different GP to take a look at it or to send the original photo to dermatology for an expert to check it out. Ideally, if your GP surgery has a GP that specialises in dermatology (which many now do), ask for them to examine the mole as they are trained to use a dermascope which shows any unusual cell activity in the mole. 

As a last resort and if you can afford it, you can either pay for the mole checking service at Boots or for a private check up with a dermatologist. The first is cheaper and they will look at it with a dermascope. If it rings any warning bells they will tell you to see your GP and ask for a dermatology referral - the GP should then act on this. The second is more expensive and they check it in the same way. Again, any warning bells will make the private dermatologist write to your GP advising them to refer you to a NHS dermatologist. 

I hope this helps and I hope it turns out to be OK. Good luck and please let us know how you get on.

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Hi Nicky, I'm so sorry to hear that you're stressed about your moles and being referred with dermatology. Just wanted to write and say that I recently had two suspicious looking moles removed from my lower back and my calf. It is good they are getting you in to have them checked, they will check all your moles to be safe, and if any need removing I can assure you it is a much simpler process than you'd think!

They excised them with local anaesthetic and I'm waiting to hear the results now. I know how anxious it can be waiting to hear and waiting to have appointments. The moles that I had removed were around 5 mm x 8 mm and were slightly irregular in shape. The one on my calf was multiple shades of brown and had changed in colour over the last year or so.

My dermatologist said she is highly doubtful that there is anything to worry about but she took away a lot of the skin surrounding it just to be safe. I'm currently waiting for my results and of course feeling quite anxious however I wanted to let you know that you're not alone and it's very unlikely that you have anything to worry about.

Please do keep me updated and here if you want to talk about anything! Sarah

Hi Sarah, 

Thank you so much for your message. Thank you to everyone that has replied to me!!

Its very reassuring to talk to others who know how i feel. I am trying my hardest not to Google anything and just trying to keep positive.

I do hope your results come back soon Sarah, do let us all know how you're getting on.

I will keep you all updated on my progress. Im just wishing and hoping for the best for all of us.

Nicky xx