Any dermatologists around - is this a melanoma?

[MankySkinThing]

I've got a referral from my GP so hopefully I'll be seen in the next couple of weeks, but I'm wondering if this is anything to worry about. I'm hoping it's something harmless like a basal cell carcinoma but obviously there's a small chance it could be a melanoma. Any skin specialists out there who can give an opinion? I appreciate it's not possible to tell for certain until it's been biopsies etc. but I'd rather prepare myself if there's a chance it's something sinister.

I noticed it about three weeks ago; it's not painful, the darker specks could be the fake tan I put on my face settling in pores, and I reckon it's about 5mm wide.

Wait and see what the professionals say. Not random people on the internet...

Even dermatologists can't tell by looking, that's WHY THEY REFER YOU FOR BIOPSY

I'm not asking random people, @fudgecat, I'm asking for dermatologist/medically trained peoples' opinions.

@Bearpawk I understand that - in fact I specifically said that in my post. But it would be very reassuring if a dermatologist looked at the photo and said "that has all the hallmarks of a BCC" or I could possibly prepare myself a bit better for bad news if they said "in my experience that could be a melanoma".

Asking for opinions is a bit of a coping mechanism; I do understand they're opinions and can't necessarily be relied upon.

Nobody is going to be able to give you a definitive answer on here.

It’s the waiting though that’s can be extremely stressful.
OP has done the right thing and has got a referral, she’s just looking for reassurance.

OP hopefully it will be nothing to worry about. I had something similar which turned out to be a flat skin tag, but you never know with melanoma as it can be different to “typical” images you see online.

Really no need for the nastiness.

I'm not a derm, but it looks like a wart to me.

I don't think it is, I think it's a nevus, but even if it IS a melanoma it's very small and not aggravated so would probably be a very quick and easy removal.

I have melanoma.
It is impossible for anyone to tell you what this is or isn’t.
My first melanoma was initially thought to be basal cell when dermatologist looked at it but when removed came back as amelanotic melanoma. So even if there was a dermatologist here they could not answer you from that photo alone.
The main thing is to get to an expert (and a GP is very much NOT an expert, my gp told me it was a reaction to an insect bite and to ignore it) and get it taken off if they advise this.
Early treatment makes all the difference.

Looks like a wart to me but I am not a medic. I hope the wait isn't too horrible for you op.

Thanks everyone who recognised and understood the purpose of my post . . . I found your responses reassuring and I really appreciate it.

I'm feeling a bit low at the moment - struggling with two small children and three close family members all being treated for cancer - so I'm probably more worried about this than I would be under normal circumstances.

I’m not a derm, only a patient. I had something similar and it was seborrheic hyperplasia. I also have other smaller patches of it.

The problem is that even if someone posts that they're a dermatologist and gives you a view (which they wouldn't presumably, I'm in a regulated profession in the financial services and never give advice on here on that subject even though I will happily give advice on other matters), you have no idea if they're actually telling the truth about their job. They could be working in a supermarket or be a solicitor in a non medical field for all you know. Online advice is best interpreted as being the same as asking your friends they're opinion over coffee.

However, even if it is melanoma (and I've no idea if it is), it can still be very easily treated. My mum had a big patch on her face that had just started to invade deeper into her skin and it still just needed minor surgery.