See a doctor?

[Lau7]

I have a mole on my back that I’m worried about - hubby and I both think it’s got bigger recently and under normal circumstance I would see a doctor. However I’m in the high risk / vulnerable group with heart disease. As a family of 4, we’ve not been out of the house for over 5 weeks now as luckily my husband is able to work from home. I feel like if I catch coronavirus I will die (I don’t know if everyone feels this way to an extent or I’m just overly anxious because of my heart) so we’ve not risked going to supermarkets etc. I know I should go to the GP but there’s then the possibility I’ll need to see a dermatologist in hospital too. What would you do...Go right away? Wait a few weeks until we’re passed the ‘peak’?

[PotteringAlong]

Call the surgery - most are doing online appointments so they can assess it for you remotely?

[MereDintofPandiculation]

Measure it, or draw a line round it, and photograph it. Call the GP if you can get through. Measuring now will help you know whether it really is growing which will help you with your decision.

[Haggisfish]

Yes I second the above. I took photos of mine with a ruler underneath so the size and shape could be monitored.

[countdowntonap]

Following. I’ve had several moles removed, and immediate family history of skin cancer. I’ve noticed a new, very dark, one on my leg that I don’t like the look of. Would usually see the Dr, but not sure whether to wait a few more weeks until a lockdown transition possibly starts. Please can you let us know how you get on?

[Lau7]

Thanks all. Will definitely measure it/ take photos. Will call the doctor tomorrow as hopefully they are doing video appointments?
Countdowntonap I’ll keep you posted. Great name by the way :)

[Sammy867]

I had the same. My GP asked me to email a photo and she emailed it to dermatology for an opinion. They got back pretty quickly to say it wasn’t anything to worry about and to photograph it every so often to ensure it didn’t change again. The process was very quick; probably much quicker than normal to be honest

[Lau7]

Sammy867
Thank you so much for your response; that’s really reassuring.

[candle18]

If you take a photo of it to send to the GP, put a ruler next to it so they get an idea of size. That’s what my GP did when he sent a picture of my mole to dermatology.

[Lau7]

Hi just a quick update. Spoke to the doctor on the phone and she asked me to come in to the surgery (much as I didn’t want to with being high risk) but she didn’t think using a video call would be clear enough. Anyway she said the mole is benign and nothing to worry about thank goodness! Now I’ve just got to hope I didn’t catch the virus whilst I was there 😬😬

[countdowntonap]

That’s great news!