Mole?

[MerryInthechelseahotel]

I've got this thing on my abdomen. I've had it for about a year and lately I've noticed it's changed. The dark colour on one side has appeared. It's been on my mind to get it checked. Today I noticed it's been bleeding. Any ideas what it is? I know it's hard to see from a photo. I've got an appointment for the 11th but the fact it's bleeding is freaking me out and I wonder if I've left it too long

[MerryInthechelseahotel]

Forgot the photo!

[Singlenotsingle]

You'll need to let us see the photo OP

[Singlenotsingle]

Don't know what it is but if it's bleeding you can't leave it.

[MerryInthechelseahotel]

Stupid question but it's ok to leave it until the 11th

[DianaT1969]

Who is the appointment with on 12th? GP or dermatologist? If GP, I would go tomorrow and sit in the waiting room hoping for a cancellation. Tell the receptionist you've had it a year, it has changed and is now bleeding. I believe they put you on a 2 week track to be seen by a dermatologist in this case, but as dermatology clinics are oversubscribed there's usually a long wait. Don't delay it further by waiting til the 12th. Hopefully it's a benign mole, but it meets the NHS criteria for requiring attention. Good luck

[MerryInthechelseahotel]

Thanks diana the appointment is just for the GP so I will try to be seen tomorrow so they can refer me. I wasn't sure if I was being ridiculous to not wait a week.

[NatashaAlianovaRomanova]

I'd go to docs tomorrow & ask for an emergency appointment.

I've recently had a mole removed - from initial GP appointment to results (all clear thankfully) took around 8 weeks & only because I didn't want it removed the same day as my dermatology appointment (would've been around 5 weeks then).

[MerryInthechelseahotel]

I will thanks! I'm kicking myself for leaving it so long. Glad yours was ok

[NatashaAlianovaRomanova]

You won't be the only one who's left a mole for a while just get it checked out now & don't beat yourself up about it

It's the only health thing I'm religious about & have had them checked annually since having my first mole removal when I was 18 - I'm always moaning at people to get theirs checked out.

[MerryInthechelseahotel]

Thanks Natasha I'm going to take a leaf out of your book now!

[lemonjumper]

I'm in a similar situation to you, OP, in that I've been ignoring a mole change for longer than I should. Finally made myself go to the GP last week and have a dermatology appointment this coming Friday. Very anxious about it, but glad that things are in motion.

Hope you are able to get checked out soon too!

[MerryInthechelseahotel]

Good luck lemon I hope it is ok for you. I am seeing GP tomorrow. Let me know how you get on, on Friday.

[lemonjumper]

Thanks merry! Good luck tomorrow and let us know how it goes.

[Footle]

Glad you're being seen tomorrow.

[Footle]

How did you get on today?

[QueenOfOversharing]

Echo what ppl are saying above. Go to gp tomorrow. I saw my gp yesterday about a patch of skin on my chest & have been referred to be seen on 16th at dermatologist clinic as they suspect it needs removing.

Don't worry, it's just now that you get it seen to.

[NatashaAlianovaRomanova]

How did you get on @MerryInthechelseahotel

[Oblomov19]

Goodness it looks enormous. How big is it?

[QueenOfOversharing]

My apologies - I thought you posted OP last night!

How did it go?

[MerryInthechelseahotel]

Actually saw the nurse today and I'm to keep my appointment on the 11th. She didn't say much just that the gp needed to see it and I will definitely see a dermatologist and have it removed.

Oblomov it's probably the size of a broad bean! A bit more raised than that though. It has changed and grown quickly and the black area is fairly new.

I did try to get an earlier GP appointment but they are like gold dust here. I've recently moved from a very good surgery where we always got seen on the day we phoned if before 9.30 it's totally different here.

[Footle]

I wonder why on earth she didn't get the GP on to look at it today. She shouldn't be making you wait another week.

[MerryInthechelseahotel]

I know Footle but maybe that's a good sign.

Good luck lemonjumper let us know how you get on

[lemonjumper]

@MerryInthechelseahotel that's so frustrating for you that the nurse couldn't progress things. Roll on 11th!

I had my dermatology appointment this morning. The consultant thinks it is 'mildly atypical' but not suspicious under the dermatoscope. As I had observed a small change myself, he gave me the option of a removal or to have it photographed and re-checked in three months. I went with the photograph & re-check option, though I'm slightly wishing I'd just done for the removal so it would be done and dusted!

[MerryInthechelseahotel]

lemonjumper that is really good news! I'm sure you can always have it removed when you go in 3 months. You can have a happy weekend now!

[lemonjumper]

Thank you! Yes, he did say that any changes at all in 3 months and they will remove it, but I'm feeling fairly reassured by the fact that he didn't insist on removing it urgently today.