2 week referral for suspected melanoma

[Malco]

Anyone else been through this and can tell me what to expect please.
It’s a new mark that has appeared. It doesn’t look like a typical mole as it’s flat but it’s asymmetrical and has different colours in it.
Thank you.

What exactly did the GP say about it?

Not much, just that she would refer me to dermatology under the 2 week referral to check if it was cancer.

You will get your appointment and be told what the dermatologist thinks - either remove to check it or no further action.

I've just been referred too. Not a new mole, but it's an odd shape and the doctor wants it looked at by a specialist. She also said that the vast majority of referrals aren't cancer.

Our 2 week wait was 4 weeks then another 2 weeks to have it removed, hope you're OK and try not to worry if you can, easier said than done and the wait is the worse.

I only ask because I've been referred to the breast clinic for a lump on the 2 week referral also, but the Dr said she wasn't that concerned but it's protocol to refer to rule it out. From having my GP appointment to having my breast clinic appointment it will have been 2 weeks 5 days.
So I'm not sure if they triage people depending on symptoms? Your appointment will be soon anyway. And yes, most referrals aren't cancer, so we do have that in our favour.

Try not to worry - the 2 week referral does sound scary - but thats a good thing.

They will get you in and have a look, and then if its anything like mine, they'll whip it out within 2 weeks

Thanks everyone. Had a call today to say the appointment is on Friday.
I felt a bit silly going to the Dr for such a small thing, and was hoping she would agree! It’s just a shock when they refer you on quickly.

How did your appointment go OP??
I hope all ok X

I just had photos taken, but have an appointment to see the dermatologist on Tuesday now.
No one has said if they suspect anything or ruled anything out.

try not to worry, I've been 3 times, 2 ok - one needed whipping out

@twnety thank you.

Bless you. Please keep us updated. 🙏

How did you get on OP? I went to see my GP last week about a couple of moles and have been referred on to dermatology. I couldn't believe it when I got an appointment letter emailed through on the same day that I saw the GP, and only having to wait 10 days to see dermatology. I was expecting the GP to tell me I was worrying about nothing so am a bit panicked about the referral.

@ADVICENEEDED987 i got referred under the 2 week scheme too. I first saw a couple of nurses at the hospital who just took photos to send to the dermatologist.

I then got called in to see the dermatologist who recommended that I got it removed asap. She wasn’t sure if it was melanoma or lentigo.

I had it removed a few days later, then had to wait 6 weeks for the results after being told that it would be a 2-4 week wait. (The waiting was the worst part).

Luckily, it did turn out to be lentigo.
I did panic at the speed of the referral and removal, but I guess that is what they have to do.

The lentigo was on my face, and I had a few stitches. I can highly recommend vitamin E oil and silicone scar sheets as you can hardly see the scar now. It’s still a bit sore and there is some nerve damage due to the location but hopefully that will calm down over time.
Hopefully, yours will turn out to be benign too. Good luck.

That's great yours turned out not to be melanoma. Thanks for the suggestion of vitamin E oil and scar sheets, I'll remember those if I do need to have any of the moles removed.