How do you go about getting an NHS second opinion?

[winestein]

DP has a mole on his back which has started to scab a little and looks slightly irregular shape around the area of scabbing.

He went to see his GP about it this morning, who just brushed it aside saying "doesn't look like anything to me, come back if it gets bigger"

I'm thought a mole that has started to scab is not a good thing and is something to be concerned about.

Does anyone have any experience of this? Is it worth getting a second opinion ir should he just take the GPs word for it. If second opinion, do you go and see a different GP at the same surgery or a different practice altogether?

[winestein]

I thought, not I'm thought!

[winestein]

bump

[friendlyedjit]

If the mole has changed then it should be assessed at least by someone who has an interest in skin. Is there another Gp at the surgery who is more skin friendly? If not ask to be referred to local dermatology service on " 2 week wait category" as concerns re changing mole.

[winestein]

Thanks Friendly
Presumably he will need to ask to be referred by his doctor - what is the "2 week wait category"?

[Nip]

try and see a different GP. I had a strange mole - my GP sent me to the local skin clinic and it was resolved in a matter of weeks.

[winestein]

Did you get your mole removed Nip? I presume it was non-cancerous?

[Nip]

in fact i didnt get it removed as it was actually a burst blood vessel from my dentist yanking at my wisdom teeth too much [blush[

[winestein]

lol

[friendlyedjit]

There is a two week wait category for referral for any suspected cancer.
The liklihood is that it is nothing to worry about.
Go back to the GP


If this is a mole that has changed ( if it is a mole), this mole should be seen at local dermatology department unless you have local GP service that is experienced in looking at "moles" and is confident that there is no malignant change.


www.bad.org.uk/public/leaflets/melanoma.asp

this is a reasonable read

[winestein]

Thank you. Much appreciated