My dad has had a mole on his neck for years, 12 months ago we noticed it getting bigger but thought nothing of it. Fast forward to end of November last year it is bleeding/weeping so much he has to wear a plaster over it. He went to the GP and they referred him to have some medical photographs taken on 20th December.
We then receive a letter with an appointment to see a dermatologist for 12th Jan (today), this letter mentions that it could be a sign of cancer. I went with him today for the appointment and we were seen by a skin cancer specialist, she asked all about his medical history etc. long and short of that is that he spent years working outside on a farm with no sun protection at all and still to this day doesn't wear. The lady today looked very concerned about the size of the mole (15mmx12mm) and said it had to be removed today as she wasn't happy to leave it on whilst we await results if she were to do a biopsy instead. 20 minutes later the mole is removed and sent for testing.
I asked her as she sees this every day what is the likelihood of it being cancer, she said without test results she can't say 100% but that it does look like a nodular and vascular melanoma and she's very concerned about the growth rate as it's doubled in size over the last 3 weeks.
What experience does everyone have with melanoma?
My only experience with cancer is my mum, who was diagnosed in March 2022 with lung cancer and passed away in the August 2022.
