AIBU to raise this with my GP?

[AnonymousBird]

In January, I went to my GP as I wanted a couple of moles checking. After much pushing by me, she referred me (third time of asking) to the local Skin Clinic. I saw a dermatologist (not a consultant) who said nothing to worry about, though she did hint on my asking that they don't really progress things any further unless they really think there is a problem.

For other reasons completely I saw a consultant dermatologist privately recently and I just, almost as an aside, asked her to look at a few moles. She immediately said that one needed removing without any delay and others warranted a closer look. She removed it there and then under local anaesthetic. I got the results on the one removed today, and it was "severely dysplastic" and very damaged according to the report. Short of malignant, but warranting me now having a larger area of skin removed as a precaution plus three others also removed which show similar signs though not as advanced as the one removed. Thankfully, because I am private for this treatment, it is being done on Monday.

These moles have been there for some time, they've not just popped up in the last few months, certainly since before I saw the GP/NHS dermatologist. I am seriously concerned that their tightened purse strings mean I could have slipped through the net - it is only by chance of something completely unrelated coming up which I was able to get a private consultation for has brought all this to light.

I have to see the GP again soon - AIBU to raise this with her? She did her bit (eventually) by referring me albeit reluctantly, but the skin clinic should have picked this up, surely, and referred me to the next level of treatment/consultation for possible removal in light of how serious this mole is and it could have been much worse in time.

Oops - just read my post & realised it sounds really snotty! It wasn't intended that way, sorry .

OP it's worth writing a factual letter like a PP said - not a complaint - and then they can do what they think is appropriate with that info.

I am in a similar situation having had precancerous moles removed and I worry that I will not pick something up in time as no one ever checks my back properly since I stopped using private drs. Skin cancer can move quickly so I can see why you were concerned.

One of the biggest risks of private healthcare is over-treatment. My company employs a private GP who has 'saved lots of people' but I am dubious about that claim and think a number could well have been fine without the sometimes invasive treatments they've had.

My mum went to GP with a mole, he told her it was ok, she left it a few months then went to a different GP, her referred her. It was melanoma She had the mole removed and and later a larger amount round it. Unfortunately it spread all around her body and she died 3 years later. It was 4 years ago now. Me and my dad will always wonder if she was referred first time would she still be here. I would say something so she is more cautious in future.

And OP if you write to your GP I'd include a copy of the biopsy report letter for their information (in case they haven't been sent it). Good luck!

My mum had (and died of melanoma). I still think YABU.

OP, I think YABU. I could have written Happy8's post - I had stage 2 malignant melanoma requiring lymph node biopsy and a very large wide excision. There was a severely dysplastic mole around 3cm from the original site so I chose to have this removed at the same time.

I understand your concern and anxiety but please don't confuse your dysplastic mole with the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma. I too have approx 20-30 moles which are reviewed by a consultant dermatologist 4 monthly - there is absolutely no reason for them to be excised unless they change.

I really don't think your GP has done anything wrong, she referred you and you were seen as requested. The private consultant has a vested interest in performing the procedure - a wide excision will earn them more than an excision biopsy. I would be inclined to ask if the wide excision is definitely needed or if the biopsy will suffice with follow-up in clinic in the future.

Hope all goes well.