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Original poster

Dodgy mole - help with some positive perspective please

20 replies

poppynic · 16/05/2008 10:24

Hi there. I have just been to the gp again about a mole/spotty thing that's on my face. He said pretty much straight away that I needed an urgent referral to a specialist - he would refer that day and they had a two week wait. I have had it checked before and the docs have said, no worries. It's been a bit of an issue for about two years now!!! He said I should be worried and I am - big time. I'm a worry wart at the best of times and since I saw him I have been crying and composing final talks to my dcs! Can anyone give me words of positive thinking that I can tell myself. Also,would it make a difference if I went private, and how would I got about that?

OP posts:

TheBlonde · 16/05/2008 10:32

who checked it before? GP or dermatologist?

Original poster

poppynic · 16/05/2008 10:34

2 different GPS

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Original poster

poppynic · 16/05/2008 10:35

but I'm pretty sure there's been some change between the first check over 2 years ago and the second check about 3 weeks ago. (both said fine).

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AMumInScotland · 16/05/2008 10:50

I heard a thing about moles etc on the radio yesterday - the good news is that even if it does turn out to be cancerous, there's a very high probability that they can remove it all without any complications, just by taking out the mole and a small area around it. Yes there are ones which have got further into your system and need more aggressive treatment, but those are the rarity.

To go private, you could just phone up a private hospital in the area and ask how quickly they can refer you to a specialist and how much they would charge.

kingprawntikka · 16/05/2008 10:55

My husband had two moles that stated to bleed(two separate occasions)He was referred with both of them .Had them removed. It was very quick and painless.the hospital checked out all his other moles too. Despite the fact they looked odd and were bleeding neither turned out to be cancerous.
Once they are removed the tissue is tested. skin cancer is very curable and it may turn out it is just an odd mole.

Original poster

poppynic · 16/05/2008 11:07

Thanks, just the kind of thing I want to hear. I just heard the very tail end of the mole thing, annoyingly. I might just make a couple of phone calls.

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snowleopard · 16/05/2008 11:15

My friend had a mole that ticked all the scary boxes. It went crusty, uneven, started bleeding, itched and tingled, the works. It was removed and tested and was not cancerous at all.

Even if yours was a melanoma, they would almost certainly get it right out and you would be fine. And I'm not an expert but if it has been bothering you for years, that makes me think it's more likely to be fine, as if it was acting up two years ago and you're still OK, that's reassuring IYSWIM.

I sympathise as I'm a massive worrier - and I don't think that doc was very helpful was he! He should have said, "Try not to worry, it is probably OK but I just want to get it checked out asap, and if there is a problem we will sort it and the treatment is usually very successful".

Original poster

poppynic · 16/05/2008 11:19

Oh snowleopard, have you thought about the medical profession! That's precisely what I wish he had said. Nevertheless I have had a reality check about how greatful I am to have my two dcs and even dp!

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Original poster

poppynic · 16/05/2008 11:20

I'm also grateful for my fabulous spelling - but you understand I am under duress.

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Blandmum · 16/05/2008 11:22

My BIL had a referal to a dermatology spcialist that the local hospital due to changes in a mole. In his case thy were eventually diagnosed as pre-cancerous changes. The mole was removed and he was told that if he ever saw changes like that to self refer to the clinic and be fast tracked.

THis was over 10 years ago and he is absolutly fine.

Get the referal and take it from there.

TillyScoutsmum · 16/05/2008 11:27

Hi Poppy

I had a dodgy mole removed about 9 years ago - it was a melanoma but nothing had spread and I didn't need any further treatment. I had another two pre cancerous ones removed at the same time.

Try not to worry (is that the stupidest thing anyone can say in these sort of situations ? )..

Original poster

poppynic · 16/05/2008 12:34

Up until now I felt it was dishonest and quite wrong to say, "
don't worry, everything will be fine", unless you were the doc with positive test results in your hand. Curiously, now I want to hear it a thousand times over from all and sundry. Perhaps I can teach my 15 mo. to say it? she's already got a good handle on "bye" -oops, thats not so good.

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AMumInScotland · 16/05/2008 13:03

poppy: full transcript of the R4 program yesterday - www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/casenotes_tr_20080513.shtml

Original poster

poppynic · 16/05/2008 13:14

Great, thanks very much.

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Original poster

poppynic · 16/05/2008 13:27

Oh dear - I can see why the latest GP referred me - can't believe what an idiot the previous GP was - grrrrrrr.

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Iworryalot · 16/05/2008 13:33

poppynic, i am very freckly and jan this year was very worried about some of my moles and freckles ,went to doc who said all was fine ,but i still was worried , looked on line to try and go private and found a site called The mole clinic .co.uk .
I think ? Basically its part of the supperdrug chain of chemists around the country and they have a Mole clinic attached to some of there stores .
I live in the south east uk and my nearest one was Brighton ,
i called the number on the site to find out the nearest one they were very helpful i got an appointment that day .
The nurse i saw specializes in moles and i paid 100. for a whole body check up or i think you can pay 30 . for individual ones .
All was fine and she assessed my risk and told me what to look out for etc .
I hope this may help you ,and look up the site and see if theres one near you .
take care x

SubRosa · 16/05/2008 15:05

Poppynic, if you don't mind paying, once you have a GP's referral letter, you could contact yout local private hospital. Often, consultants do both private and NHS work.

www.bmihealthcare.co.uk/

www.bupahospitals.co.uk/

www.nuffieldhospitals.org.uk/

Original poster

poppynic · 16/05/2008 20:44

I was rung with an appointment today at Great Ormond Street for 27 May - that seems reasonably soon to me????? Or would it be much faster privately? And would the difference make a difference?

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AMumInScotland · 16/05/2008 20:50

I don't think that you'd be seen much faster privately, or that it will change the probabilities, so I'd go with that.

UpSinceCrapOClock · 26/11/2008 11:39

Poppynic - may I ask, how did it all go? Have just come back from visiting dh's family in Latin America and while there one of the moles on my forearm started bleeding. Rang my dr at home immediately (about 2 wks ago) and my appt for the dr to check the mole is tomorrow and I'm getting nervous.

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