What to do about mole

[MerinoFroggie]

I have a lot of moles on my body. I don't usually inspect them and study them because there are so many of them. I am wary of the sun and I practice sun safety. I try my best to avoid the sun in the summer time and when I have to go out it in, I try to aim for morning or evening and I use sunscreen and I usually have a cover up for the skin so something with long sleeves that is light and cooling too.

I saw one on the moles on my arm this evening has a darkened or blackened area. I think that would have stood out to me before so I think it is probably a new development. I will attach a picture.

What do you think? Should I be going to my GP about this? I am awful at doing these types of jobs. I put everything on a to do list and then never get around to doing things. If I do need to go to a doctor, would I need to go sooner rather than later? Like would I have to make an appointment for next week or will February or March do?

Pictures of the moles

I think that should be seen. I would phone tomorrow morning. You might be asked to email photos, or you could have a Push Doctor video consult, to help the GP decide whether you need to be seen in person.

Definitely get it checked there are a number of hoops to get through if it was cancerous so you don’t want to delay a second longer. Good luck

Not to frighten you but a family member had their mole checked it was cancerous and they hope stage 2. So please do call tomorrow.

All that matters with a mole is whether it is changing at a faster rate to the others and becoming irregular/multi coloured/itchy/crusty/bleeding. So yes the dark area is irregular. I think GP would ask you to photograph it now and again in a month and compare. Having said that, I agree with PP that call and photo warranted as it is not just a regular mole. My mum and I both have moles that look non ideal too BUT they never change so regarded as fine by GP. Hope all goes well.

What happens after taking this to a GP? Do they refer me onwards to another clinic or can they look after me at the GP surgery? I presume they would have to take a piece of this skin for testing? Would that be an easy job? I would prefer it if it can all be done at the GP surgery. Then it will be a waiting game for results but I will do my best to push it to the back of my mind and try not panic and hope for the best.

Thanks for the replies. I will phone my GP tomorrow.

In the case I mentioned I believe it was seen by the gp. Referred on and they decided to cut it out and test it. That came back as cancerous so there was a further test to check it hadn’t spread to lymph nodes and they will excise a little more to be sure. If you google it NHs will have the outline procedures.

Phone your GP tomorrow. You may be asked to send a photo with details of the size of the mole and when you first noticed it. My GP sends the photos to dermatology who then arrange a triage appointment though there will be a waiting list. Over the past 15 years I've had five non-malignant lesions removed (typical Scottish red hair and pale skin) and the one thing I've learned is that the sooner you get them seen to, the smaller the scar!

I’ve had a skin appointment in lockdown I emailed the Gp with the details and a photo, they emailed me back an appointment for 6 days later with a skin specialist, she phoned me for the appointment and we discussed it. She then instructed me on how to take clearer photos for her to make a decision. I sent them over and she called the next day. She’s happy they are safe ( probably just age). But to update if they ever change, itch, weep or bleed.

I've had several moles removed by my GP. She sends them off to Pathology and I get the results a couple of weeks later. It's a quick and easy process - the most painful bit is the injection of local anaesthetic!

Once I had a mole on my face that needed to be removed. As it was such a visible place, I was referred to the Plastic Surgery department of my local hospital in order to minimise scarring/get a better cosmetic result. This scar is barely noticeable now.