To ask for a hand hold

[RollaCola84]

I went to the GP yesterday about a skin tag / mole type thing. It's been there for ages and my former GP told me it was nothing to worry about but I've been starting to think it was unsightly. I was assuming I would end up paying to have it removed.

The doctor poked and prodded it, went "hmmm", smiled and asked if I wanted to be referred to dermatology. I said yes please if he thought it was worthwhile. He smiled again, said he'd refer me and I'd get a letter. Off I toddled.

Just come home to a letter confirming the referral "Dermatology 2WW (Suspected Cancer)" saying I'll be connected and if haven't been contacted by 31st July to call a number.

I'm now sitting on the floor, scared I'm going to die and wondering how we got from what felt like I'll refer you if you want to suspected cancer.

I don't want to tell my mum as she'll be frightened and upset and I don't really have anyone else to talk to. I love my DP but we don't live together and he's a bit crap at that sort of thing anyway.

Is it on your face/neck by any chance? I went to the doctor with what started out as a small pink spot on my scalp, and whilst she was not extremely worried she said a second opinion was a good idea, and the referral would need to be treated a priority as it's above the neck. Even if the GP doesn't see cancer as a distinct likelihood in your case perhaps that's still how it needs to be phrased to get a prompt answer in the process of elimination?

In any case what is important is that they're progressing it so quickly so you can get to the bottom of it (and hopefully rule out the serious stuff ASAP). All the best OP . My lump was removed in the end and all clear.

Yes, it's by my eyebrow. I just wish if he was concerned he have said something ! It's a new GP as I moved recently so I've never met him before.

At least I'll know one way or the other soon. Trying to focus on that. Glad you got the all clear.

I was half expecting to be told I was being vain about something on my face and to just ignore it

There are two types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. basal cell is much less dangerous. I went to GP a couple of years ago with a mole which I thought was nothing, I was seen quickly and the dermatologist told me it was basal cell cancer at first appointment. I had it cut out a few weeks later. They need to see you quickly a d hopefully the dermatologist can reassure you as mine did. good luck.

Oh it'll be nothing honestly! Try and stay calm. These letters always say the most startling things when you've been referred under the 2 week pathway thing.

It's to check whether it is, not a diagnosis. My mum had skin cancer on her arm and they removed it and she had no further treatment. Keep on top of it, but try not to worry.

Not sure if this helps, but sometimes concrete facts can reassure in the face of the unknown...

I went to the doctor and said i had a small patch of redish skin on my face that didn’t seem to heal. A bit itchy.

Several doctors in a row said it was nothing to worry about. Last one said “oh, yes, that might be skin cancer” and referred me for a punch biopsy.

That was an out-patients hospital apt where they literally just punch a bit out (a bit like a hole punch) to take away and biopsy. Done in 30 seconds. Biopsy came back and said it was cancer, but a carcinoma not a melanoma, which means it was just in that little patch and not spreading anywhere else. I had an op a few weeks later to cut that patch out, and got a couple of stiches which were taken out a week later by the nurse at my gp. Job done.

Better to find out and have it dealt with than not know and risk it being harder to deal with i always think. That said, he should definitely have discussed it with you, and perhaps the fact he hasn’t means he really doesn’t think it’s cancer, just ensuring they check for everything.

Thanks everyone, I know its not a diagnosis its just come as a shock because he seemed so non plussed by it.

A friend a few years ago was told "it's probably fine but I'm going to do it as an urgent referral because it's quite dark" or something like that.

Hi OP similar thing happened to me, except I had a lump under my armpit, GP wasn’t concerned at all but said he would refer me for an ultrasound just For reassurance. my letter said exactly the same thing ‘ultrasound (suspected cancer) 2WW’ the 2 WW stands for two week wait I think because all referrals relating to a potential Cancer scare are processed extremely quickly and within two weeks. It sounds scary I know but it’s because all referrals of this type are dealt with in the same way, even those unlikely to be cancer related at all xx

Lelly0503 - thanks. I was talking moles with a colleague who said she waited about 8 weeks for an appointment so this has rather thrown me.

I'm the one who no-one asks if I'm fine because I always am. And is usually the one telling everyone else, come on and it'll be alright. I feel silly for getting upset about it.

I had Bcc on my back, an area that had never healed for over 10 years, bled constantly. Had it cut our and all good. Was dealt with very swiftly- within a few weeks. Just was warned that due to my age I will most likely get a lot more.

Only reason I went was because I wanted a tattoo on that area haha!

@Gizmo79 I wanted it removed because I have really fair (and slightly uneven) eyebrows and I was thinking of getting them tinted and done properly and seemed a shame to have this skin tag thing in the way.

I was fully expecting to pay for private removal.

Both me and my husband were referred for moles by our GP. It's scary while you wait but thank goodness the wait is short. In both our cases it was nothing to worry about and i imagine all referrals are treated as suspected cancer. Some may be 1% suspicion and some may be 99% suspicion.

The reassuring thing for both of us was that the consultants we saw took the time to visually check all our moles and reassure us that they were all fine and talk to us about how to keep an eye on them.

No point saying try not to worry but just remember most of the people they refer wont have a melanoma.

Exactly as Sunshine says, the referral pathway is the same whichever end of the 'suspicious' spectrum your skin tag is. I know it's shocking to see that word but the GP's reaction sounds more 'not worried but we'll check to be sure' than 'that definitely looks dodgy' so that would reassure me somewhat I think. I'm glad you don't have to wait too long anyway, it's impossible not to worry I know

A totally different issue but I hope our story helps. My wife found a lump on her breast (I am forever feeling guilty that I did not find it) and had surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy six years ago. For unrelated reasons she had a scan last year and it showed no trace on cancer.
Modern NHS can beat cancer.

@Hidingtonothing thanks. I think its the shock more than anything because he didn't say anything whilst I was there.

Just to everyone who very kindly replied to me, I spoke to my GP again on Thursday (via the receptionist). He was very apologetic for frightening me and said he hadn't meant to, he said the waits for dermatology in our area are months for non urgent at the moment and as he'd seen that I wanted this looked at and gone he marked it as urgent.

He said although it was on the large side (5mm across) he was particularly worried and I shouldn't be either. I won't be ok until I've had all clear from dermatology but I do feel a bit better.

I have a colleague currently having radiotherapy for breast cancer, a friend who died of lung cancer a few years ago, another not responding well on second round of chemo for ovarian cancer and my best friend has not long been discharged after major surgery and chemo for uterine cancer. My mind immediately jumped to being in that sort of position.

Thanks again

He said although it was on the large side (5mm across) he was particularly worried

wasn't !!!