Hi RM13,

 I have one of those letters and i also thought the wording (presumably ‘standard’ ) was a little brutal. I guess they’re trying to be transparent and we have to understand that everyone gets the same letter - of course it doesn’t affect the outcome... Also better to be investigated in a short time frame than not. My appointment has been brought forward so will only be 8 days since I first called my GP which is great. (And I know it was only a cancellation but the illogical part of my brain said ‘they’re moving me forward because they have me down as an especially bad case’).

I have my first appointment tomorrow, also suspected skin cancer. I am also pretty scared but these are not things we can ignore so good for us for taking it forward.

Good luck!

Hi RM13.

It is very common to be put on a two week urgent referral. I've been on a few myself.  But statistically, 9 out of 10 patients who get put on this route turn out NOT to have cancer. 

The doctor should have warned you that this was going to happen and not to freak out.  But doctors are busy and get so used to handling referrals that sometimes they forget the chilling effect that the word cancer on a letter can have.  

Hi,

Some GP practices have a GP who specialises in dermatology and they can look at any suspect mole or lesion through a dermascope - this shows them if there are any suspicious cells and they can then refer you to the hospital dermatology clinic under the 2 week referral rule. Those GP practices that don't have such a specialist have to consider whether your mole or lesion can definitely be diagnosed as a benign skin condition - if they can't, the NICE guidelines state that the patient must be referred to a dermatologist. If it's thought it's best looked at quickly they will refer under the 2 week rule. 

All this means is that your GP isn't sure whether there is a problem so he's leaving it up to the experts to check it & decide if anything further needs doing. It doesn't definitely mean it's serious. The dermatologist will look at it through a dermascope and then decide if it needs further investigation by way of removal for biopsy. For every 10 patients that get refered to a dermatologist only 2 or 3 are found to be serious so please don't overthink this. If it transpires that you do need it removing for biopsy and it comes back positive for cancer, the treatments now available & the research that continues means that the outlook for melanoma patients is much more favourable.

While waiting, try & keep busy & do things that will distract you, whether it be work or doing a hobby you enjoy. The waiting at times like this is the hardest part so try to divert any stress by treating yourself to something relaxing. Good luck & please let us know how you get on,

Angie (melanoma patient)

Good luck Freckle, hopefully yours will be fine. Please let us know how you get on,

Angie (melanoma patient)

Thanks Angie. I have just been to my appointment and nd the consultant thinks it’s more likely to be a vascular lesion but cannot be certain, so they will book me in for a biopsy which will be in about 3 weeks. I have a lot of these but none that resemble this new one in any way. 

So slightly reassured but obviously still worried about how much a nodular melanoma could spread in the many weeks until I could be treated, if he should be wrong. I will have to find a way to stop thinking about it!

My Mum died of melanoma and my teenage kids’ Dad is no longer alive, which is all contributing to my anxiety.

I can understand your anxiety with losing your mum & your children's dad - it a lot to deal with on your own. With regards to your mum, research has been going on for some years regarding familial melanoma - fortunately it's thought to only account for a small percentage of cases so hopefully yours won't be one of them. Your consultant could obviously see some vascular activity so crossing fingers that's the case. The waiting is hard but hopefully it won't impact on any spread if it turns out to be a positive biopsy. Good luck with the surgery & please let us know how you get on. Keep busy & pamper yourself - you deserve it to try & deal with the stress,

Angie

Thanks Angie! Am feeling slightly calmer now.

Hi freckle

what were the results from your biopsy? I have my gp appointment tomorrow and I'm terrified. My mole has changed and of course I googled it and scared myself silly.

i hope your ok x

Hi, my results were good, it came back as a dermatofibroma - not what the consultant thought but benign. Very good luck with your appointment, I very much hope it also turns out to be good news for you.