The GP is has given me an urgent referral

[Janel85]

I’m an anxious type, what just happened at the doctors has left my head spinning.

Went into talk about a recent diagnosis of PCOS, and at the end I mentioned there was a small black dot that has appeared on my toe in the last month and could she check it out.

Next thing I know I’m walking out of there with an urgent referral in case it’s a melanoma.

I now can’t focus on anything else, I’m told i will be seen as a priority within the next two weeks, and research online says the results if they decide to do a biopsy could be as long as six weeks.

I’m so scared. Has anyone experienced similar?

Has anyone has this and gone private, I think for my sanity it might be worth me doing so, I don’t think I can cope with a long wait.

Hey.

My local private hospital does a mole clinic. Its like a one stop shop.
Not used it myself but I think the initial consultation is £99.

I’ve just been quoted £250 for initial consultation, £460 for the mole removal and I didn’t get round to asking about the follow up...

Hi, first of all, well done for mentioning it to your GP. Please don’t freak out because you’ve been given an urgent referral- that’s standard if there is a risk it might be a melanoma. And that’s still a big “if”.

I’ve had a few moles looked at over the years - the dermatologist will have a look with a special magnifying glass, and then the mole will be removed if they think it might be of concern. They then send it away for analysis and if it’s a melanoma they might remove a larger area of skin. Lots more ifs! The most important thing is that you’ve started the process.

I’ve got health cover with work so I’m afraid I can’t compare waiting times.

The Macmillan website is very good on melanoma, and they have a community forum (with a separate melanoma group) where you can go to ask questions.

Please try not to google- it tends to make anxiety worse.

(The one skin issue I didn’t get checked out for a while- because it was on my vulva! - turned out to be a malignant melanoma, which was removed earlier this year - but that’s a completely different story! And I’m fine at the moment )

Don’t panic. I had the same with a breast lump. (Not anything nasty. Diagnosis is lumpy boobs. ) If there is anything at all that they might even possibly maybe suspect could be a sign (but probably not) of cancer then the ASAP referral is the norm. Hoping it just means you get your reassurance quicker.

My best friend had a referral for a small bruise type mark on her big toe under the nail.

She was terrified but barely got her sock off for the specialist before they told her she was fine. No need for a biopsy or anything.

This is the sort of thing the NHS does really well (if you are in the UK). Being fast tracked doesn't mean it is a melanoma - it is most likely nothing. But if it is you need treatment fairly urgently, hence the speed of referral.

Thanks for all your replies, @Toofaroutallmylife sorry to hear about your melanoma, I’m glad to hear you’re doing well now though. I think what bothers me most is that the wait for the results might be as long as six weeks. I’m grateful for the gp acting decisively and I know two weeks is good for the NHS, just as someone with anxiety it’s torturous. Appreciate you all replying.

Yeah it is just one of those things the nhs is really hot on.
I've had two "urgent referrals" for breast issues. None turned out to be anything.

A two week referral is standard. Good luck.

Same as @Frazzled2207 was seen within 3 days for a lump in my breast and was just hormonal build up xx

Yep, mine was removed and benign. Most are, honestly, it is good to be on the safe side.

You will be seen quickly, that's what the two week referral is for and they try to see you as soon as possible. I went private as my lesion had been knocked, wasn't healing and was quite big and I was very concerned. I'm fortunate to have private health insurance through work so just had to pay the excess. I was booked in for the operation before I'd have had the NHS dermatology appointment so it was dealt with very quickly. The good news was that it turned out to be benign.

I also went for one on my vulva that was not malignant despite meeting all diagnostic criteria!