Suspicious mole.. Terrified

[islaoo]

Hello I'm hoping someone can help calm me down! I have a mole on my back which I noticed has a patch of dry skin on it as well as having irregular borders and a couple of dark spots. Went to gp on Wednesday who agreed it is suspicious and has referred to dermatology under the 2 week protocol. I do have private health insurance through work but gp thinks wait time will be about the same. I'm just terrified and keep googling and thinking the worst. The mole measured 4 by 5 mm but as its on my back I have no idea how long it's been there and only noticed by fluke on holiday. I have fair skin and a lot of moles. My fear is that it may have been there for years without me noticing. Gp said worse case is a bit of skin will be removed and I'll be monitored so I guess she thinks if it is something it's been caught early.. I have health anxiety though and am in a mess. I can't concentrate at work and am spending every evening in floods of tears. Any positive stories / advice would be gratefully received! Thanks

[Metalhead]

I'd ring the private insurance, you might get an appointment within a day or two and probably get it removed quicker too. I was referred by my GP recently for a dodgy mole, and did get seen under the NHS within 2 weeks, but then would've had to wait another 2 weeks to get it removed as well as having to take a whole day off work because of the way they do day surgeries. I get AXA cover through work and they saw me the next day, plus the consultant removed it there and then.

I've had three suspicious moles removed over the years and all were fine, so it's not always bad news. Good luck!

[yeOldeTrout]

If it's been there for years, then it's probably completely harmless.
Why would it suddenly become dangerous now?

[IsletsOfLangerhans]

Try not to worry. I've been in your shoes and the anxiety was the worst bit for me! I had a new mole appear three years ago and went to see gp. He was of the mind it wasn't anything dodgy, but still referred me under the 2 week protocol. I saw a lovely dermatologist who immediately told me he would be very surprised if it wasn't a melanoma, but not to worry as it was small. I have health anxiety, so that set me off on an awful downwards spiral! I was going to have to wait 6 weeks to get it removed, but ended up going private to get it done sooner. It was confirmed as a stage 0 melanoma and I had to have extra skin removed - all tests came back clear. If I was you, I'd wait for the 2 week referral appointment, then make a decision about going private. In the mean time, look after yourself - I made sure I carried on exercising, bought myself some of my favourite expensive green tea and made a bit more time for myself.