DP just been given the 2 week referral for possible skin cancer :(

[OhWhatAPalaver]

just wondering if anyone has had experience with this.
DP has a strange pale lump next to a mole on his chest. GP has given referral to hosp as she thought it looked suspicious. we've never been so worried, spent most of yesterday crying and worrying. trying to be strong today for our 1yo DD but is hard. just trying to keep busy until appointment comes through.
he doesn't ever go in the sun but does have loads of moles and skin tags and is prone to cysts.
just looking for a bit of support, would be good to hear from others who have experienced similar things as we know virtually nothing about it!

[SilverSixpence]

GP here, of course it is very stressful being referred for something like this but quite often GPs need to be on the safe side and it may well be something benign. Usually a change in a mole itself is worrying such as change in size/shape/bleeding etc. If he's prone to cysts it may be something like that instead.

THe best thing to do is just to distract yourselves, not try and second guess things as you may be worrying yourselves sick for no reason. Best of luck.

[slug]

It also depends on the type of skin cancer. My mother has had several cancerous moles removed. The treatment was just that, removal. She was offered plastic surgery to fill in the hole (the gouge in her harm is noticeable when she bends it) but has declined it on the basis that she's beyond caring about trivial things like that.

We're from NZ which has high skin cancer rates so the regular checking and removal of moles is fairly routine.

[slug]

It also depends on the type of skin cancer. My mother has had several cancerous moles removed. The treatment was just that, removal. She was offered plastic surgery to fill in the hole (the gouge in her harm is noticeable when she bends it) but has declined it on the basis that she's beyond caring about trivial things like that.

We're from NZ which has high skin cancer rates so the regular checking and removal of moles is fairly routine.

[slug]

Whoops, don't know how I managed to post twice

[MovingGal]

I agree with slug - it depends on the type. There are many types and some are quite slow growing.

I am a lily-white Australian from Queensland (skin cancer capital of the world apparently! - umm yay us??). I am freckled and have lots of moles & also grew up in the 70s when you just didn't wear a hat and good sunscreen hadn't been invented yet.

I have had many suspicious lumps & moles removed. Some were cancerous but luckily of the more common slower growing variety. My husband is a very fair redhead and has had many removed also. We have the specialist send us a reminder for our regular checkups.
Our Dr has said that the bad ones (malignant melanoma) usually don't look as bad as the other not so bad ones in the beginning.

I know its easier said than done OP but please try not to get to upset at least until you know what you are dealing with.
Sending good vibes your way.

[OhWhatAPalaver]

thank you for the replies, they are somewhat reassuring. i hope that it will be nothing and if it is something then hopefully it will just be treated by removing it. here's hoping! thanks for the sound advice and good vibes MovingGal :)

[kiwigirl42]

My mum in NZ has had many removed, many of them malignant. This has been going on for the past 30 years and they have all been removed sucessfully. Good luck and try not to think the worst!

[charitygirl]

Ok - there are so many harmless possibilities. I had the 2w referral last year for a very suspicious looking mole. The consultant took one long ad said 'that's nothing to worry about - that's what we call a 'senile wart'' (terrific - I'm 34).

Also, my FIL did have a malignant mole, they removed it, he's fine now. Please try and stay calm.

[digerd]

I had a malignant black melanoma removed "just in time" in Germany, in 1985.
I was well lokked after and had a very small other one in the initial stages of abnormal cells.
My BIL had one removed which was not dangerous - forgot it's name-, but grows very slowly and does not develope secondaries in vital organs. It was not black.
It is the melanomas - 4 types- which are the dangerous ones, but the most common types of skin cancer are actually harmless.
Good luck

[greyvix]

I was referred a year ago. I was phoned the next day by the hospital as they said it was an emergency- charming. It was nothing suspicious at all, but there are guidelines and they have to follow them.
Don't assume it is cancer; your DP has been referred so that they can investigate. Good luck!

[digerd]

Yes, it is far better to err on the side of caution when cancer is suspected.

[NorthernLurker]

Digerd - was that basal cell carcinoma your bil had removed?

I agree OP - there are lots of possibilities, nearly all of which are nothing to worry about. The key thing is that your dp has been sensible and sought medical opinion. Hope you get reassurance soon.

[andadietcoke]

I had one removed on a 2 week referral. It was absolutely fine when they analysed it. Please try not to worry.

[digerd]

Northern
I think so.