Mole removal

[lemonsaretheonlyfruit]

Hi. I have a mole on my face close to my lip. It's got bigger over the years to the point where it's really bothering me (not big but has come more sticky outy)

I don't think there is anything wrong with it (ie cancerous) but it has bled a couple of times over the last 12 month. Once when somebody threw some keys to me and they hit the mole and once when I was drying my face with a towel. This is part of the reason I want to get it taken off.

I had 3 moles removed about ten years ago on the NHS but am I now right in thinking they will only remove cancerous ones? It's not just for cosmetic reasons as the bleeding is an issue.

I have enquired privately but it's so expensive. Even then you have to get a letter from your GP to say it's not cancerous. My GP isn't booking appointments at the moment and will only do 'emergency' appointments which I don't suppose this is.

I enquired at a private GP to see if I could get a letter there and they told me an appointment was (I can't remember but I recall being shocked at the cost) something like £300 for the appointment.

Anybody have any idea re the likelihood of being able to get this done on the NHS given the above? Thanks

I've had a few removed on the NHS, it was very simple to get sorted. I had several moles checked out over two separate appointments (over the course of the past year or so) and both times they offered to remove them despite there being no concerns. It was purely cosmetic.

One mole I wanted removed because I didn't like the look of it. I went to reception after the GP appointment (to check it wasn't cancerous) and booked in for it to be removed the following week.

The second appointment to have some moles checked was during a lockdown and after sending photos to my GP he invited me in for an appointment. He confirmed that they were fine but told me to pop to reception and book for them to be removed if they were bothering me enough.

Can you do an online consultation for the GP (I assume they're all doing this now) and see what they say?

I have enquired privately but it's so expensive. Even then you have to get a letter from your GP to say it's not cancerous.

I really don't understand that. It doesn't tie in with my experience.

Who have you spoken to? Usually drs who remove moles are cosmetic/ plastic surgeons. The way it worked with me was I made an appt for a consultation with the plastic surgeon, via their PA (no GP involvement at all) which I did have to pay for, then I paid for removal.

The only way it can be diagnosed is by histology after removal although a GP could 'guess' by looking.

It was on the lipline and growing, and I was very aware of it. I'd seen a GP about it before and they tried freezing it off which a) hurt a lot and b) didn't get rid of it.

I had it removed in theatre with a local jab, 3 stitches, and it was sent off to make sure it wasn't cancer. Cost around £500 in total.

I don't think you will get it done on the NHS- sorry. :(

I think it can be hit and miss when it comes to getting moles removed. I've had a couple of small moles removed by my GP, mainly because they were being irritated by clothing, and I've also had a couple removed via referral to a consultant dermatologist. I had to press for those to be removed, as they prefer to take photos and monitor if they don't think it's anything nasty.

As your mole is on your face, you may need a referral to plastics as they tend to get plastic surgeons involved to minimise scarring to your face, or at least they did when my DH had one removed from his cheek.

I had a non cancerous mood remove but because it was itchy, very itchy all the time. If it's getting damaged they might well remove it.

You can go privately without any GP involved. I have. They will test it when they remove it to make sure it is not cancerous.

Thanks. Interesting. It was the lady on the phone at the private clinic that told me I'd need a GP letter.
Interesting that's not the case in all. It was one that had been recommended locally.

@lemonsaretheonlyfruit I think that's a reason not to use that clinic!

If it's on your face you really need a plastic surgeon and very few work in mole clinics. But even a good mole clinic would send a mole off for analysis.

(I have also been to a good mole clinic for a mole on my arm- turned out it was a sun spot - but it was a very different experience to seeing a plastic surgeon at a private hospital (think BUPA etc.)

I had 2 moles on my face (and several from my back) removed privately.

GP had checked they weren’t concerning, but said I couldn’t have them removed on the NHS (not a problem, was cosmetic only, happy to pay for this)

I went to a clinic who used “Plasma IQ” and effectively burnt them off - this has left almost no scarring and cost me significantly less than surgical removal would have done.

@MaybeWeShouldGoToEastbourne

That's interesting! Where was that? Eastbourne by any chance.

@RightMovesAlong
Thanks. Maybe you have a point about that clinic.

@lemonsaretheonlyfruit Haha, no, the Midlands

I think it would be worth trying the GP route to be honest, given that you can describe a change to the mole (becoming more raised) and bleeding.

I went to GP with a very tiny change I'd observed and had a dermatology referral within a few days. The dermatologist didn't think it was anything sinister but was happy to remove it based purely on the fact I had noticed a small change.

Thanks to all of you who replied. Really useful advice. So yes unlike last time it was surprisingly straightforward with the doctor. She called me, we discussed, I sent her some photos. She understands why I'd prefer to get it removed. She is 50/50 about whether or not I will be able to get it done on the NHS but is going to refer me to the plastics team at the hospital and see if she can make it happen.

Your advice was really useful so thanks all.

In case you need to pay, I used a branch of this clinic and had 3 removed by laser. Only for non suspicious moles that don't require histology after. I was really pleased with the result.
skinsurgeryclinic.co.uk/treatment-price-list/

@vjg13 thanks! That looks really reasonably priced. I got all excited then realised I'm too far away. I'm in London. But Thankyou

@lemonsaretheonlyfruit may I ask how you got on in the end? I have a couple of moles I’d like removed from my face. Did you go private in the end? And of so, any recommendations for where to go in London? Thanks in advance!

@Agapanthus13
I didn't pay in the end. I booked an appointment with my doctor (this was between various lockdowns so not face to face) and she asked me to send some photos. She reviewed them and asked me some questions and (I presume) because I told her that it had bled a couple of times she referred me to Guys in London Bridge (am in Southwark)
When I had the consultation there it was with the cancer unit and even though it was decided there was no risk of that nature, they could see it was bothering me enough to have it removed.
I had it done very quickly and painlessly about a week later. I don't know if every borough is the same but my impression is that if you have a reason that it's really bothering you other than just 'I don't like how it looks' then maybe that's the way to get it done. Good luck!

Many thanks for sharing @lemonsaretheonlyfruit I’ll mention to my dr next time I see them and keep looking for a private location too!