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Original poster

Do GPs actually examine suspicious moles?

105 replies

bookworm1982 · 25/11/2021 22:07

Or do they just take a quick look and refer you if need be? Thank you xx

OP posts:
NovemberNovemberDarkNights · 01/12/2021 22:54

Oh & Dr Google is a proper wanker!! Master of Doom & Gloom. Best ignored x

ShaneTheThird · 01/12/2021 22:56

Last time I had one the GP took one look and instantly referred me to dermatology.

ShaneTheThird · 01/12/2021 22:56

Op I have similar on my foot I will try get a photo. Have had it years and it's not melanoma

ShaneTheThird · 01/12/2021 22:58

:)

Do GPs actually examine suspicious moles?
Original poster
bookworm1982 · 01/12/2021 23:18

@NovemberNovemberDarkNights

I went to my GP because I'd had a 'dry patch' that kept flaking on my nose. It was during LD1 so I'd put it off for ages! She looked at it & was very 'meh' then I showered her a lump/bump at the top of my arm and she went very quiet, I could tell she was concerned, she went & got another Dr who also gasped (not reassuring) The second Dr told me what he thought it was & that it could be cancerous & that the one on my nose could scar badly. He referred me on the 2week whatsit & I got the appointment a few days later. GP had pretty much convinced me it would be seriously bad news. The dermatologist said what he thought they were, gave me strong 'chemo' cream for my nose & said there was a Dr on Duty (at the hospital where I was seeing him) and she could cut the one on my arm out now. So I went & had it done there & then.

They were great & said it wouldn't need any other treatment etc.

She did a great job on the day, but it has scarred a lot.

Anyway, I got a letter from the NHS telling me what it was & that they were pleased to be able to tell me it was benign.

I wasn't expecting the letter, so I hadn't known I needed to worry 🤣🤣

So all the GP looking at it did for me, was scare me shitless 🤣

Just hold tight for your apt. The VAST majority are harmless, we only usually hear about the 'bad news' ones!

Oh blimey, so all that and it was benign? After frightening you like that! 😬 I hope you weren't left with bad scars xxxx
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Original poster
bookworm1982 · 01/12/2021 23:19

@ShaneTheThird

:)
Thanks for sending that. It's not dissimilar to mine is it. Did it appear one day or always been there? Xxx
OP posts:
Original poster
bookworm1982 · 01/12/2021 23:19

@NovemberNovemberDarkNights

Oh & Dr Google is a proper wanker!! Master of Doom & Gloom. Best ignored x
Dr Google is a piece of shit
OP posts:
carrottopper · 01/12/2021 23:21

I'm quite moley and worry that I will miss changes!! I've always been careful in the sun but just enjoyed our holiday to Spain last year and now worrying. Just impossible to check all changes

ShaneTheThird · 01/12/2021 23:23

It appeared out of nowhere one day and then gradually grew bigger. It's totally flat and you can't tell from the photo but has a few flecks of black in it. It's also jagged edges. I've had it for years now and dermatology wasn't at all concerned even though my gp made it sound like the end of the world when he referred me. It's totally benign and doesn't bother me. I have OCD and health anxiety so I understand how stressed you feel even though your photo doesn't scream concerning.

Original poster
bookworm1982 · 01/12/2021 23:26

@carrottopper

I'm quite moley and worry that I will miss changes!! I've always been careful in the sun but just enjoyed our holiday to Spain last year and now worrying. Just impossible to check all changes
You can actually go to a mole clinic once a year and them all checked at once, cost is around the hundred mark, maybe a bit more. But well worth the money and excellent for anyone that is quite moley to put your mind at ease.
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Original poster
bookworm1982 · 01/12/2021 23:27

@ShaneTheThird

It appeared out of nowhere one day and then gradually grew bigger. It's totally flat and you can't tell from the photo but has a few flecks of black in it. It's also jagged edges. I've had it for years now and dermatology wasn't at all concerned even though my gp made it sound like the end of the world when he referred me. It's totally benign and doesn't bother me. I have OCD and health anxiety so I understand how stressed you feel even though your photo doesn't scream concerning.
Ugh I have OCD and health anxiety too... feel your pain Sad
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Original poster
bookworm1982 · 05/12/2021 08:56

I have now been given an appointment to see a dermatologist on 17th Jan! I thought it had to be within two weeks! If I have got melanoma then it could have really spread by then 😞 did anyone else have this problem? Xx

OP posts:
Slowfoxfast · 05/12/2021 20:23

You should be seen sooner. I'd get in touch with your GP and also try and call the consultant's secretary. If they really can't offer anything sooner ask them to contact you if a cancellation comes up.

I got a two week referral at the beginning of this year and I was at the clinic within that time. I didn't have a suspect melanoma but still needed a biopsy and some treatment. I was surprised as it was in the middle of lockdown so didn't expect to be seen so promptly.

Original poster
bookworm1982 · 05/12/2021 22:11

@Slowfoxfast

You should be seen sooner. I'd get in touch with your GP and also try and call the consultant's secretary. If they really can't offer anything sooner ask them to contact you if a cancellation comes up.

I got a two week referral at the beginning of this year and I was at the clinic within that time. I didn't have a suspect melanoma but still needed a biopsy and some treatment. I was surprised as it was in the middle of lockdown so didn't expect to be seen so promptly.

Thanks. Was yours just a funny-looking mole then? Xx
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Original poster
bookworm1982 · 08/12/2021 11:43

@Slowfoxfast

You should be seen sooner. I'd get in touch with your GP and also try and call the consultant's secretary. If they really can't offer anything sooner ask them to contact you if a cancellation comes up.

I got a two week referral at the beginning of this year and I was at the clinic within that time. I didn't have a suspect melanoma but still needed a biopsy and some treatment. I was surprised as it was in the middle of lockdown so didn't expect to be seen so promptly.

I can't be seen sooner than the 17th Jan with nhs so I'm now seeing a private dermatologist tomorrow morning 🥺🥺🥺🥺
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SocialConnection · 09/12/2021 00:05

My doctor's surgery has a small procedures room and one of the GPs does them. I've had three removed there - one by laser, one sliced off an one cut out with stiches (properly numbed of course!). They then send the bits to the lab for biopsy - all have been fine.

bcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyza · 13/12/2021 09:07

I had one on my leg - the February went to gp he looked at it, referred me to the mole clinic for a photo the next day, 2 weeks later a biopsy. The June had more taken out deeper as they still couldn't tell me, the December got all it removed. Turned out it was a mole blue Nevis growing under my skin which why it was annoying me.

Mumzoo5070 · 14/12/2021 19:46

bookworm1982 how did it go at the private dermatologist?

Original poster
bookworm1982 · 14/12/2021 21:58

@Mumzoo5070

bookworm1982 how did it go at the private dermatologist?
Hey, thanks for asking. I've seen the dermatologist and she's arranged for me to have it taken out on Friday this week Xmas Shockwill hopefully get the results before Christmas as this is all being done privately now xx
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Mumzoo5070 · 16/12/2021 15:20

Best of luck, glad you are being dealt with so fast.

Loopielu · 16/12/2021 19:49

@bookworm1982 I'm dealing with the exact same situation as you. It's stressful isn't it? Hope tomorrow goes well!

I have a large mole like thing on my sole. Only noticed it a week ago. Have a 2 week referral too. I hope it doesn't take longer than that. I've attached a picture, sorry, it's not pretty!

Do GPs actually examine suspicious moles?
Original poster
bookworm1982 · 16/12/2021 20:08

[quote Loopielu]@bookworm1982 I'm dealing with the exact same situation as you. It's stressful isn't it? Hope tomorrow goes well!

I have a large mole like thing on my sole. Only noticed it a week ago. Have a 2 week referral too. I hope it doesn't take longer than that. I've attached a picture, sorry, it's not pretty![/quote]
Thank you! I'm starting to get nervous! I really think yours could be a blood blister. I know it doesn't look like blood but neither did mine and that's a big part of what it was (mine is basically blood with a mole hidden underneath it, hence why it needs to be removed tomorrow).

Have you any idea when it appeared? Like when you last looked at your foot and there was nothing there? X

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Original poster
bookworm1982 · 16/12/2021 20:08

@Mumzoo5070

Best of luck, glad you are being dealt with so fast.
Thank you xx
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Loopielu · 16/12/2021 21:18

I think mine may be a subcorneal hematoma, but I'll leave that to the professionals to decide as different GPs have said different things.

My daughter noticed it a week ago but it could've been there ages. My initial reaction was panic but I'm calmer now as rationally it's more likely than not to be fine.

Keep us posted and best of luck tomorrow.

Original poster
bookworm1982 · 16/12/2021 21:52

@Loopielu

I think mine may be a subcorneal hematoma, but I'll leave that to the professionals to decide as different GPs have said different things.

My daughter noticed it a week ago but it could've been there ages. My initial reaction was panic but I'm calmer now as rationally it's more likely than not to be fine.

Keep us posted and best of luck tomorrow.

Sounds like you're thinking very rationally! Wish I could do that, I always think the worst when it comes to my health! Thank you for your good wishes xxx
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