Possible melanoma- help

[EmeraldSakara]

I went to my GP yesterday regarding a mole that looked abnormal. The GP didn’t seem overly concerned by that mole, but while I was there, she spotted a different one on my back. Although it was small, she was concerned about it because it looked noticeably different from the other moles in that area. Because of its location, I am unsure as to how long it has been there.
She has referred me under the two week pathway. Alarmingly, shortly after leaving the surgery I received a leaflet by text explaining the cancer pathway referral, which totally freaked me out. I know this is how GP’s refer patients for fast dermatology appointments, but I am terrified.
I have sunbathed in the past and cannot shake the feeling that I am about to be given the worst news.

I would love to hear from others who have gone through something similar.

93.5% of 'urgent suspected cancer' referrals (formally the two week wait) for skin cancer, are not cancer.
Totally understand your worry, but the stats are on your side xx

Hi, I know it's easier said than done but please try not to worry. 🤗

I had a new mole-type thing on my face a few years ago and was told it would have to be removed and biopsied, also within the two weeks. The doctor said she thought it would be a "punch biopsy" but actually when I went to the hospital it was decided to just do a "scrape biopsy" or curettage. The local injection stung like an absolute bastard but beyond that I didn't feel a thing. It was cauterised afterwards to stop the (very slight) bleeding.

I had a scab on my face that looked like a cigarette burn, I had to apply Vaseline to it several times a day and it healed up beautifully. I was really worried because it took ages for my results to come through, but it turned out to be a benign basal cell carcinoma.

As @BatsInHibernation says, so, so many of these referrals end up being non cancerous. xx

Thank you both. I’m really worried that the GP thought it looked different to the others. She also said she can’t get a good picture with a dermascope, and I think she didn’t feel confident trying but I was hoping for reassurance.
I’m not worried about the removal procedure itself- just the waiting for the result, and the result itself being scary.

GPs have a very low threshold for referring things like this - please try not to worry, the urgency is more about ruling things out quickly.

Like a PP said, the stats are on your side op 😊

Just be aware, they can't confirm by just looking, so they'll likely want it off and biopsied (thats what my consultant said) and that you may have a very long wait for an appointment (id pretty much forgotten about it when I got my letter, 12 weeks it took!) And you will wait about the same time for the results.

They insisted on booking me in for a f2f results appointment (nottinghamshire hospitals) and it was all clear, not cancer. So also dont read too much into wanting to see you f2f.

@LardyMcLardarse- where was your mole and what was the reason for the referral? Did it look different to other moles nearby?

@EmeraldSakara like PP said, the GPs have a low threshold for referral. If it didn't look different from your other moles, she wouldn't have referred you.
All referred moles will have something about them that looks different, or unusual, but 93.5% of those different and unusual moles, are still not cancer.
Those are good odds. We can't have excellent cancer detection rates without zealous checking. That does mean a tonne of healthy people waiting anxiously for test results. Try and feel reassured that they are ruling cancer out and have targets to meet that make them extra, extra cautious. Think of it as being 'on the safe side'.

Thank you @BatsInHibernation- a voice of reason

I go to a dermatologist every year for a full skin check. In 2020 she noticed a change in a mole on my arm. She brought me in a week later to have it removed and biopsied. She rang me a week later to say it was fine - it was an atypical mole that had become inflamed. She did say when she was removing it that a very large percentage of moles that are biopsied are not malignant.

@EmeraldSakara very kind of you to say so, I actually used to be horrifically anxious and suffered from terrible health related OCD. The less you seek reassurance on this, the better you will feel. Focus instead on your mental health and looking after yourself. Anything like this will be stressful of course, and the doctor visit must have been pretty triggering. But to assume cancer at this stage would be catastrophism, and once you are in that head space, it can be almost impossible to get back out.

I experienced exactly the same as you @EmeraldSakara . I was shitting myself! The consultant at the hospital agreed it was query malignant melanoma. I had the bastard thing removed and waited four weeks for the results. It turned out to be a completely benign, harmless mole. Fingers crossed that yours is the same.

I’ve very recently been through the agonising wait - I had a mole on my leg that had changed quite considerably, obviously googled melanoma/BCC/SCC and totally convinced myself I had skin cancer. Had medical photographs taken and had to wait another 2 weeks, mine is actinic keratosis, which between 5-10% could turn malignant. I’ve been prescribed a ‘chemo’ topical ointment for 4 weeks and to report back after that.

On my back, spotted by my husband. Yes it was different to those nearby.

Dr who checked was not particularly concerned but referred me to dermatology anyway. Better safe than sorry.

Thank you so much everyone- your stories are really helping me! Waiting for the referral date to come through which is causing much anxiety.

@BatsInHibernation Completely true that the more you seek reassurance, the worse you will feel. I just wish I could get a appointment date sent through!