Advice on urgent dermatologist referral appointment and second opinion

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Hi, I’m looking for advice on similar situation.

At the start of Dec a mole behind my left thigh that’s been there since birth became itchy (on and off) so I decided to take a look, noticed it wasn’t the brow round mole I remembered it to be previously, so called dr, told to keep photo diary each week. In that time noticed it changing again, blurry faded border, brown spots within it, then it had what was like a white head develope in the centre which then became black looking, and now looks like a crater/hole in the centre. (Should mention whole mole from edge to edge gone from 6mm-8.7mm)

I was urgently referred to dermatologist clinic for check as dr knows fabcy history of cancers, brother recently passed of CUP (cancer of unknown primary) mum non Hodgkin lymphoma and aunty last year lung cancer with a BCC on her nose at same time.

So appt was yesterday at dermatology, giving my concern of the above I was hoping I would have this removed and biopsied which my dr was convinced they would poss do too but she took a look through the dermascope (approx 10seconds or so Rolling eyes) and had photos took, and told to go back in 3 months to check again Rolling eyes

I left the appt feeling not a whole lot of comfort or confidence that this was the right solution. So I’m concoderibg a second opinion but I really think this needs to be removed.

I’m 38, very fair skin and I do have a fair good few freckles and moles over my body.

Thank you in advance for any information or advice given.

  • Hi NicolaJD87,

    Thanks for getting in touch and welcome back I see that you are on other groups. I hope you are finding them helpful.  I’m Kate one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists here on the Macmillan Support Line.

    I am sorry to hear about your family history. While many people might worry because cancer has appeared in their family, most cancers are not inherited. Only certain cancers are likely to be related to a genetic cause, and usually only in around 5 – 10% of cases. With the best information we have at present, the cancers you mentioned are unlikely to be related to any genetic cause, or to each other, and may simply have occurred due to other factors.

     It is understandable to be anxious about skin cancer when you have noticed a mole that has changed. Please do continue to check your moles and skin so that you are aware of any changes that maybe happening.

     I am glad you have been seen by the Dermatologist, and they want to review it again in 3 months. If there are any changes within this time, please do contact them again to bring your appointment forward.

     If you are not feeling confident with the examination you had you could speak to your GP and ask for a second opinion.

     You could consider a private consultation with a dermatologist if you are able to do this. 

     Please do get in touch with the dermatology team if there are further changes to the mole.

     I hope this information is useful. Please don’t hesitate to get back in contact by email, webchat or phone, if you need further information or support.

    The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks* on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm.

     

    take care, 

     

    Kate,

    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

    Ref KE/KDf