Doctor said its fine but I'm not convinced (mole)

[anxiousmess81]

Hi all. I'm posting here to get some opinions from general people. Previously posted in general health which was very helpful but need to know if I'm wrong here. Will try to keep this as short as possible.

I've had a mole (brown, raised) since childhood. Never really bother me, the occasional irritation after bath etc but was always fine. It's on my torso, about an inch down from breasts.

Had my daughter in 2018, I'm petite and she was 6.5 lb. After this the mole got bigger. Put it down to stretched skin. I know they can change during pregnancy also.

A while ago I noticed there was a little bit extra growing off the side of it. Thought it was weird but thought no more of it. Since then, it has gotten darker, slightly bigger I think. It started itching months ago and I finally plucked up the courage to call docs last week. Telephone appointment and was asked to send photo. Did that and he said he wasn't concerned but to go in Friday last week. I went to see him, explained the problems, it's very itchy, if my clothes touch it it's unbearable. Explained the bit growing off the side. There is a white bit on it too which wasn't there before. It's to the point where I'm having to wear tight fitting vest tops because it itches less when the fabric can't move freely. I was fully expecting him to refer me but he didn't. He said it looked regular shaped, asked again about the bit of growth and white bit and he said it was normal. Said I was worried about melanoma and he said it wasn't that. Asked if I could be put on waiting list as it's causing me problems and he said no, they won't remove that, also that I'll be left with a scar. He was adamant there was nothing wrong with it. I've been seeing him for years and always thought he was good, if abrupt. He also said it looked more like a brown nevus than a mole. Of course, I googled brown nevus, turns out that nevus is just the medical term for mole anyway!

I have to take a picture in 4 weeks with a measuring tape and send it to him. He measured it at 6mm.

The trouble is, the itching is terrible, i can't wear a bra because it catches, it itches to the point of weird pain sometimes. I can't wear anything bar a tight vest and it's affecting my use of seat belt.

I'm dubious that he has dismissed these symptoms. Would I be right to question his opinion? Would he take the risk of he wasn't sure it was nothing? Is it possible he has this wrong?

Thank you all. I will try calling a around Tomorrow. It seems slim pickings in my area though!

If its affecting you because of where it is, then even if its benign the NHS will remove it, all it takes is for your GP to refer you to a dermatologist. Can you see a different GP?

Get another gp to look at it and explain about the seat belt and bra. I understand the anxiety, I had a mole removed at 25 which came back cancerous but everything I was told was how I'd done the right thing being seen early.

You should get a second opinion.
If it’s got bigger and has different colours and is itchy it actually meets the NICE criteria for a 2 week wait skin cancer referral.
(I’ve had about 4 of them over the past 10 years) none were serious but the hospital dermatologist likes to me every year or so as I have a lot of strange moles.

Put some savlon on it regularly which may help it calm down.
Do you have any bupa or Wellesley private hospitals that you could get to?
I've seen a private consultant and paid for it myself in one of these hospitals without a referral.
Would you want to say roughly where you are so people can suggest places - or just ring round loads tomoro!
So many people including myself get themselves anxious about moles.
For the anxiety I'd recommend an Adrianne Yoga for Anxiety video on YouTube. She shows you how to breathe to ease anxiety and it's helped me calm down and helps me sleep better rather than waking up in the night in a panic. It's not a long video either.

It's south wales area, the best i can find is St Joseph's hospital but they're saying I need a referral. I may contact the GP tomorrow and speak to another doctor? I don't want to be seen to be going behind this ones back though. As stupid as that sounds.

@anxiousmess81 It looks like the Spire Hospital in Cardiff (Pontprennau) will do mole removal without a referral.

@anxiousmess81 i meant is ot anywhere located on any on the milk lines in the diagram in rhe link. Extra nipples look very like moles but are sort of as you describe. They are located on the lines in the picture not between them.
I hope you have luck finding someone successfully. You might also be able up look ip aesthetic doctors as whikst thry msinly fo gillers etc many fo mole and lesion removal in their clinics. It might help. Good luck

@anxiousmess81

It's south wales area, the best i can find is St Joseph's hospital but they're saying I need a referral. I may contact the GP tomorrow and speak to another doctor? I don't want to be seen to be going behind this ones back though. As stupid as that sounds.

It's your body, your health, your life. Don't be stupid about speaking to another doctor.

None of the private dermatologists skin clinics in London require a referral OP. It's approx £25O to remove a mole & test it for skin cancer. My mole didn't change colour but it was so raised it kept catching on waistbands then getting sore. Scar faded after a year of daily E45 cream. I'd do it, for peace of mind .

Hi OP, I haven’t RTFT as I’m a bit short on time, but if you are worried and can’t get a second opinion quickly, you can try the SkinVision app: www.skinvision.com/

Basically a mobile app with which you can photograph your mole and have it assessed by a clinically proven algorithm which will assess its risk of being malignant or not (it’s actually been proven to be more accurate at diagnosing malignancies than dermatologists!) If your risk is high I think you are able to book a follow up appointment with a doctor with little problem. Good luck.

Forgot to say, lockdown will end soon theyre saying, as infection rates are down 30% in all but 11 areas, so travelling for medical appt should be possible some time fairly soon.

If you can't wear a bra or seatbelt it needs to come off anyway! You are being a bit over dramatic with the panic, just go back to GP or a different GP and explain that it is really bothering you.