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Urgent Skin Cancer Referral - Scared

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
Hiya,

I've got quite a few moles and I decided I needed to go to the doctors to get them checked out. The ones he looked at seemed all fine and then he spotted one on my back that was a different colour. He tried to take a closer look but said that he was going to refer me to "make sure" that it wasn't melanoma.

Unfortunatley since then I've started noticing other moles of mine that have changed, some have lost colour, one has become slightly more raised, one has turned red, one has a black blob in it and another has a black line through it. These are on my legs which he didn't look at when I went for my appointment and now I'm sick to the stomach with worry that when I do get seen something might be wrong.

I've got a two week referral and should be seen within the next week and a half but I'm so paranoid. Everything in my life has finally decided to go really well, I've just bought and moved into my first house with my fiance, just been promoted and got a pay rise, finally getting on with all my family and now I'm thinking is something going to come along and screw it all up.

Has anybody else been referred/had melanoma? I don't know what to do, my OH has been wonderful and has said not to worry about unless we need to worry about it but I'm scared that it will be something and it will screw everything up (My life insurance doesn't kick in for a few months with the mortgage etc).

Comments

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I haven't, although I have lots of chameleon moles that change a lot, but my family have been through a few cancer scares and they're 90% of the time just a GP being careful.

    I can't tell you not to worry but your OH sounds really sorted about it and that's really positive.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Yeah, he's lovely but I think he's worried too. The thing is I've had problems with anxiety and depression in the past and this has coincided with me starting a course of Champix to give up smoking which can obviously make these a bit worse.

    I also lost my mum three years ago and it's just made me uber paranoid. The doctor said that it wasn't anything to worry about but at the same time he didn't give me much extra information when I was there.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    The doctor can't really give you any more information - you'll need the specialist to take a look. Please try not to worry yourself, I've got a least three moles that have been looked at, each time I've had a mini panic and have all turned out completely fine.

    That said, even if they are slightly more ominous, my gran has just had one removed, and the complete set of associated appointments was probably 6 afternoons starting from the GP and ending up with being discharged.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I had an urgent skin cancer referal thing for a bleeding mole when I was at university and it turned out to be nothing. I hope this reassures you.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Thank you and thank you. The doctor said the only reason he was concerned was that it's darker than the rest of my moles but I have a couple of quite dark ones elsewhere.

    I'll let you know how it goes Xxxx
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    He's doing his job, and doing it well. basically he wants to ask an expert, so he is. Chances are it's nothing (most referrals like this are) but it's better to be safe than sorry.

    Reassures me that some GPs are taking the NICE Skin Cancer guidance seriously.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Hi,,,
    I think that you are wasting your time on the Internet.you need to consult the doctor as early as possible as It may leads you to too serious condition...
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Hi,,,
    I think that you are wasting your time on the Internet.you need to consult the doctor as early as possible as It may leads you to too serious condition...

    huh? There's nothing wrong with wanting to rant or ask others if they've had this experience.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Hi,,,
    I think that you are wasting your time on the Internet.you need to consult the doctor as early as possible as It may leads you to too serious condition...

    She has asked a doctor. Hence the referral to a specialist...
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Looking at their posts, it looks like they are one of those people who have been posting recently.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    *Lea* wrote: »
    Looking at their posts, it looks like they are one of those people who have been posting recently.

    I know. But they had made the effort to get an av so wondered if they were actually making an effort...
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I know at least 6 people who have all had skin cancer - largely they've just had it removed in a pretty easy procedure and gone on to be fine - though less excited about sunbathing afterwards....
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    In my experience, GPs tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to moles. I've been referred for a biopsy on one that went a funny colour. It was absolutely fine though, my doctor just said although he was 99% sure it was harmless, he didn't want to risk that 1%, which I think is probably a common thing, cause I know a lot of people who've had the same thing, and the mole turn out to be benign and just a bit squiffy.

    Hope this is the case for you, too *hug*
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Dad had a mole, got it checked, ended up having it removed as it was cancerous, unfortunately it had spread to his lymph node and that was that. The main issue with my dad was he wasn't fast enough in getting it checked and then wasn't through the NHS quick enough either. So since you've got it checked out early you'll probably be in the clear.
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