Suspicious moles

[Onekissisallittakes]

So my DH has two 'dodgy' moles on his back, which may or may not have been there for years, as awful as it sounds I just can't remember or took note, as in general he is quite a moley person, fair with blonde hair and blue eyes and burns easily so I know he is right up there for risk factors for melanomas. However he isn't a sun worshiper so it's not as if he's spent the last 30 odd years trying to tan (he's 38). I've got him an appointment after his mum made a comment on holiday last week about the amount of moles he has on his back (around 7-10 all over) and he has an appointment on Tuesday. Question is, will they remove them right there at the GP surgery? Or be referred to dermatology? I have also been researching and it shows melanomas and atypical moles and I can't see the difference so I don't know whether to remain calm and optimistic or panic over this. Anyone who has been though this would be much appreciated to have your experience.

100% they will not removed at surgery
He will be referred for a biopsy

If this is the initial appointment with the GP, they might just take a good look, maybe using a dermatoscope, a special tool to look at the skin, and be able to tell if it is indeed possibly dodgy and needs a dermatology referral, or actually not a problem. Maybe they're not moles at all, but seborrhoeic keratoses, whichncan be gnarly looking but totally benign.

I'm very moley and it can be hard to keep track!

7-10 moles are not that many. We are a very moley family and have many times that. GP will not remove, but may either refer onwards if undecided, or, we are very lucky here, you may have the same, and they have a system where they take a picture and send it to the local dermatology unit who takes a look and decide the next step.

Thanks all for the replies. I don't feel quite as panicked now, especially after seeing that there are some moles called seborrheic keratoses and also atypical moles that are perfectly benign but can just look a bit odd. Tbh they don't stand out like a sore thumb, as I say he has a few on his back anyway, but it's always best to have them checked.

I had a suspicious mole on my back. My GP referred me and they said it was query malignant melanoma. Obviously I was worried sick but when it was removed and tested, it came back completely normal.

It just goes to show, even the experts can’t tell what is a normal mole and what isn’t, just by looking.

I had an awfully itchy mole. The GP didn't think it was cancerous but referred me on the 2 week pathway , it took a bit longer but the derm said it probably wasn't a problem but that they would remove it due to the itchiness.

When the biopsy was done it wasn't cancerous but a type of mole that means I have a higher than average (25%) chance to develop skin cancer in the future.