Urgent dermatology apt - what to expect

[poppetandmog]

I noticed a mole had changed a couple of weeks ago. I have BUPA through work and used their skin analytics service so they sent me out a kit to take photos with a dermascope. I got their report back the next day which said they couldn’t rule out cancer and recommended an urgent dermatology referral. I went to my GP (could have used my BUPA but no hospitals near to me) and they agreed and referred me to dermatology on the 2 week pathway.

I have my appointment with the NHS dermatologist next week and feel really frightened and not sure what to expect. If they want to remove the mole, is it likely they will do it there and then? I have a young son with additional needs and very little family support so really need to be able to have some time to plan for this and also around work. Just wondering if anyone could share their experience. I’m going mad catastrophising. Doesn’t help that I’m majorly needle phobic and still feeling pretty traumatised after having a hysterectomy last year. Thank you.

Sorry to hear you have this going on. Could you ring the clinic and ask if they will just be doing a consultation or a 'one-stop' consultation and biopsy? Different clinics may work in different ways. At least that would give you more info about what to expect/ how long this appointment might take

So they will most likely re-do the dermascopy photos. I wouldn’t trust ones done at home. They really need to be done under professional conditions. My first appointment was for the photos. I just saw the nurses for that, they took the photos and asked me questions.

The results came back maybe a week later in a letter in the post. In my case, the dermascopy actually got it wrong (they predicted it was a squamous cell carcinoma when actually it was melanoma). But because it was suspected cancer, I was booked in to have it removed 2 weeks later. They definitely won’t just surprise remove it. My letter was clear I was being booked in for surgery.

If you need it removed, the surgery at this stage is quite minor. You can drive yourself. It will be local anaesthetic. It was no big deal. You will need childcare in place for that appointment though, but you can go back to normal life after, just taking it easy for a time. Dh and one of my dc left on a 2 week trip (long planned so didn’t want them to cancel) the day after so I was home with my 6 year old for the next couple weeks. He did have to come with me for stitches being removed and a few other appointments to dress the wound, but it was fine. It was summer holidays and we have no family help.

I got the results in about 4 weeks, but generally I think the dermatologist can take a good guess at whether it’s likely to be anything worrying. I think I am a bit of an exception as I have a rarer type of melanoma, but most of them are either obviously funny looking or not. They may still remove it even if they don’t think it’s cancer just to be on the safe side.

I had a mole removed. I was referred through Bupa. The first appointment was confirming it was cancerous then I had an appt about 6 weeks later to have it removed. They then sent the specimen for testing.

Thank you everyone for sharing, I really appreciate it. That has put my mind at ease a little.

Hi OP, I had this too and also used the Bupa kit. They said because the edges were ridged and non symmetrical they also referred to dermatology. I turned up and the doc took one look and told me he can tell straight away it’s fine. He took the opportunity to look at any other moles I was concerned about and sent me on my way.

Oh this is so reassuring to hear, I really hope my experience is similar. Thanks for sharing.

Just wanted to provide an update for anyone interested. I had my appointment and the doctor thought 2 of my moles looked suspicious, so I’m having them removed next Thursday. Feeling pretty anxious about it and will be glad once it’s over. They’ll then be sent away to be tested.

Sending love! I did read at the time that a lot of them turn out fine! Fingers crossed for you.

Had my mole removal today. Anaesthetic was a bit nippy going in but after that, I didn’t feel very much at all, other than some pressure and a bit of a strange electric shock feeling at one point. Was a quick procedure and the staff were so lovely. Very glad it’s over and done with and now the anxious wait for the results.