Mole?

[MerryInthechelseahotel]

I've got this thing on my abdomen. I've had it for about a year and lately I've noticed it's changed. The dark colour on one side has appeared. It's been on my mind to get it checked. Today I noticed it's been bleeding. Any ideas what it is? I know it's hard to see from a photo. I've got an appointment for the 11th but the fact it's bleeding is freaking me out and I wonder if I've left it too long

Forgot the photo!

You'll need to let us see the photo OP

Don't know what it is but if it's bleeding you can't leave it.

Stupid question but it's ok to leave it until the 11th

Who is the appointment with on 12th? GP or dermatologist? If GP, I would go tomorrow and sit in the waiting room hoping for a cancellation. Tell the receptionist you've had it a year, it has changed and is now bleeding. I believe they put you on a 2 week track to be seen by a dermatologist in this case, but as dermatology clinics are oversubscribed there's usually a long wait. Don't delay it further by waiting til the 12th. Hopefully it's a benign mole, but it meets the NHS criteria for requiring attention. Good luck

Thanks diana the appointment is just for the GP so I will try to be seen tomorrow so they can refer me. I wasn't sure if I was being ridiculous to not wait a week.

I'd go to docs tomorrow & ask for an emergency appointment.

I've recently had a mole removed - from initial GP appointment to results (all clear thankfully) took around 8 weeks & only because I didn't want it removed the same day as my dermatology appointment (would've been around 5 weeks then).

I will thanks! I'm kicking myself for leaving it so long. Glad yours was ok

You won't be the only one who's left a mole for a while just get it checked out now & don't beat yourself up about it

It's the only health thing I'm religious about & have had them checked annually since having my first mole removal when I was 18 - I'm always moaning at people to get theirs checked out.

Thanks Natasha I'm going to take a leaf out of your book now!

I'm in a similar situation to you, OP, in that I've been ignoring a mole change for longer than I should. Finally made myself go to the GP last week and have a dermatology appointment this coming Friday. Very anxious about it, but glad that things are in motion.

Hope you are able to get checked out soon too!

Good luck lemon I hope it is ok for you. I am seeing GP tomorrow. Let me know how you get on, on Friday.

Thanks merry! Good luck tomorrow and let us know how it goes.

Glad you're being seen tomorrow.

How did you get on today?

Echo what ppl are saying above. Go to gp tomorrow. I saw my gp yesterday about a patch of skin on my chest & have been referred to be seen on 16th at dermatologist clinic as they suspect it needs removing.

Don't worry, it's just now that you get it seen to.

How did you get on @MerryInthechelseahotel

Goodness it looks enormous. How big is it?

My apologies - I thought you posted OP last night!

How did it go?

Actually saw the nurse today and I'm to keep my appointment on the 11th. She didn't say much just that the gp needed to see it and I will definitely see a dermatologist and have it removed.

Oblomov it's probably the size of a broad bean! A bit more raised than that though. It has changed and grown quickly and the black area is fairly new.

I did try to get an earlier GP appointment but they are like gold dust here. I've recently moved from a very good surgery where we always got seen on the day we phoned if before 9.30 it's totally different here.

I wonder why on earth she didn't get the GP on to look at it today. She shouldn't be making you wait another week.

I know Footle but maybe that's a good sign.

Good luck lemonjumper let us know how you get on

@MerryInthechelseahotel that's so frustrating for you that the nurse couldn't progress things. Roll on 11th!

I had my dermatology appointment this morning. The consultant thinks it is 'mildly atypical' but not suspicious under the dermatoscope. As I had observed a small change myself, he gave me the option of a removal or to have it photographed and re-checked in three months. I went with the photograph & re-check option, though I'm slightly wishing I'd just done for the removal so it would be done and dusted!

lemonjumper that is really good news! I'm sure you can always have it removed when you go in 3 months. You can have a happy weekend now!

Thank you! Yes, he did say that any changes at all in 3 months and they will remove it, but I'm feeling fairly reassured by the fact that he didn't insist on removing it urgently today.