Questions for anyone who's been to a mole clinic. Also a question for anyone who's worked in one, or in healthcare more generally.

[flourella]

I have noticed that one of my moles seems to have changed a little. It doesn't really look any bigger, just sort of fragmented and less even than I recall. I spoke to a GP on the phone and have been referred to the skin clinic.

Since then I've been doing some reading and I'm a bit worried about some other moles. I didn't know that new moles, especially those that appear different to those around them, could be cause for concern. Over recent years I've had half a dozen new moles appear on my legs that look nothing like my old ones: they are darker than the rest, but also smaller (~2mm) and very regular and I thought that only large, irregular moles were something to worry about.

Will I be able to have these looked at during the appointment, or will they only be interested in the one I reported to the GP?

Could I ask to have all my (definitely 100+) moles looked at? Or would that be taking the piss and something I should pay to have done privately?

If any of them have to be removed, will they want to do it there and then? I'm going to struggle with being put on the spot like that.

And a possibly unusual question for people who work in hospitals: are the instruments used in mole removal generally single-use or reusable? If a patient has severe psychiatric disorders, a pathological fear of contamination, and an obsession with vCJD and prion diseases that has ruled (and ruined) their life for over 20 years, would it be possible to arrange to use disposable instruments for such a procedure even if reusable ones are used as standard? If not on the NHS, could a patient go private for this?

If any of them have to be removed, will they want to do it there and then?

Unlikely but who knows these days? Everything is all over the place. DH has had a couple of moles and several patches of skin cancer removed. The first appointment is generally for a look to see if they think it’s suspicious. They then send an appointment for removal or biopsy. DH now gets seen every 6 months and strips to boxers for a thorough check over but I can’t see they would be thrilled at being asked to check all your moles. By all means if there are a couple of others you are concerned about you could ask but I don’t think asking for all 100+ to be checked would go down well.

are the instruments used in mole removal generally single-use or reusable?
I know when our dr has done a mole removal they are single use. Needles for local anaesthetic, scalpel & suture kit needle are all disposed of. I assumed they all were these days, I can’t see why England, Wales or N.I would be different to Scotland.

Tbh if you pay privately you can ask for whatever you want.

This is from 2001
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/1100966.stm

Thanks for replying. The mole I've reported is on one of my legs, so I'll ask about the other few strange ones I've noticed there. But I won't ask them to look at the ones anywhere else.

I remember that news about single-use instruments being brought in for tonsillectomies and some other surgeries, but that's because some tissue is considered to be particularly high risk when it comes to potential transmission of CJD. But it's good to hear that you've noticed that your doctor disposes of all equipment used afterwards; hopefully it will be the same at my local clinic.

When I went to the clinic they removed my mole straight away. I was shocked and thought I would have to come back. I don't know about the rest of your questions though.

It may differ from clinic to clinic (and might be different now because of covid) but I had to go back to have them removed at another appointment. I'm glad of this because I felt a bit uncomfortable walking afterwards (one of mine was on the back of my knee) so I took my mum with me so she could drive me home.

The doctor I saw did check other moles in the same area without me asking, and the mole I'd originally been worried about didn't need removing but they said another one did. I'm not sure they'd check your whole body though. Mine only did that after I'd had a melanoma, they checked all moles and lymph nodes at follow up appointments.

I attended the mole clinic in the hospital about one that changed shape and colour, while I was there she checked out all the others on my body (I have loads). Doctor advised that they all looked fine but I would have to go back so they could photograph them all so if any changed in future they'd have something to refer back to.

I'm ginger, extremely pale and always burn in slight bit of sun so I think the extra precaution of the photographs is just cause I would be classed as an at risk group

I'd previously had some one my neck removed when I was in High school because I was being bullied over them, but the GP did it for me in the surgery

I'm also thinking about having all of mine checked
I also have many many moles
I considered paying to go to a private clinic as I thought you could only see a doctor about one or two

Lalallama I know I'm getting ahead of myself thinking any will have to be removed, but I wondered about walking home afterwards. The clinic is only half an hour's walk from me but that's the only way I can get there. I hope your melanoma was caught early and fully removed with the mole.

WindsorBlues I'm a redhead as well; not as pale as some, but I do burn quite easily and am very freckly with many moles on my arms and legs. Maybe they'll offer to look at all of mine as well, but I won't expect it at this NHS clinic after other replies. I do want them all looking at now that I'm thinking about them, though.

Friend had 30 removed in one op (they did knock her out for it, as most were on her face), but that was through either BUPA or BMI . I think she gets them checked quite regularly and they do check them all - but she’s absolutely covered in them so suppose they’re erring on side of caution . I don’t think the NHS would do the same tbh .