Hello everyone,
I have not currently got a melanoma diagnosis but really struggling with the stress of 2week wait referral, I hope it is ok to post here with this.
I am struggling quite a lot with anxiety about the outcome of my 2ww referral. I had my first appointment at the beginning of last week, just under 3 weeks after gp referral, and am waiting to hear back about the next steps.
I wonder if others who have recently been diagnosed may have experience with the changed assessment pathway since introduction of AI analysis of dermoscopy images (NICE approved this particular application, „DERM“ in May 2025, and it is apparently as good or slightly better than dermatologists at recognising malignant dermoscopy patterns; and my local hospital has introduced it).
It is supposed to reduce wait times but I think what has not been thought of much is the extra time waiting for what happens next and the extra anxiety it produces. After a traditional initial appointment I assume I’d know the dermatologists opinion and what the next steps would be - but instead I am waiting to hear for the results of the AI analysis (dermoscopy photos are taken by health care assistant).
While I was there, I asked about a rough timeline for when I should hear next but the response was very vague - stating I was on the two week wait pathway. Obviously not the staff‘s fault as it is a new pathway and they are only doing their job.
I already feel like I left it too long to see my GP, I had kept telling myself I can keep observing it. At the moment it is really affecting my mental health quite badly. I am even off work the last few days (I’m a doctor myself and that does not help at all; I see and refer people with possible cancer on a daily basis).
My mind keeps going through all sorts of scenarios including such things as how good is the quality of the dermoscopy view that was taken as photo for the AI assessment. I wish I could have had a „normal“ appointment to talk more about what happens next, what their opinion is etc. I was told that the AI outcome alone will decide if i will have another appointment to see a dermatologist. Tomorrow it’s going to be a week since my appointment.
If anyone else on here had experience with AI used in their diagnosis I would be really grateful if they could reply.
Thanks so much for reading all this to everyone who got down to here!
-
update: I called my hospital via switchboard and was told there is no result yet/awaiting consultant review and it could be a further 1-2 weeks or rather they were not keen to give me any timeframe.
Hi B821565d520 and a very warm welcome to the group which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.
I don't have any experience with AI analysis of dermatoscopy images but had a look through the group and found that Penny2025 and DISNEYFAN have gone down this route recently. I've 'tagged' them into my reply to you in the hope that they'll pop on and share their experiences of AI with you.
Thank you so much for your reply! It is so good to have a place to ask for other's experiences. It is very different being on the patient end. I've been in the patient role many times before myself but not with a two week wait referral issue.
I had a look as well when I posted and replied to Penny2025's the other day to see how it went after the initial appointment for her and heard back from her.
I think in my local hospital, the pathway is slightly different probably from other places where the GP takes the dermoscopy photo and includes it in the referral and the decision then may come a bit quicker. The initial for me wais to have the photo taken in the dermatology department, then for the next step after this now.
I'll have a look at Disneyfan's thread also.
Hi again,
when my gp took initial photos, they were sent over as advice and guidance request so not a referral. They awaited a reply from dermatology and then completed an urgent referral based on their advice. Week later I had hospital photos done, and a week after that, I was able to view the photos and report on the nhs app. The initial gp urgent referral was dated 19/6 , I had the biopsy on 28/7 and will wait 8-12 weeks for results so the ‘fast diagnosis standard’ won’t be met in my case but it’s out of my control.
You’re in the system now and my advice would be to try and not focus on it and carry on as normal as possible x
Hi, thanks so much for letting me know how it has been so far for you. Yes, so your process was a bit different with having the Advice & Guidance at the beginning.
It’s hard to focus on everything as normal but I’m trying. I just hope I will get the AI results soon now.
I know wait times are a lot longer than they used to be for all specialists and for the 2 week wait referrals also - but time just stretches a lot more while waiting anyway.
I hope you get your biopsy results soon and all the best for everything!
Whatever cancer throws your way, we’re right there with you.
We’re here to provide physical, financial and emotional support.
© Macmillan Cancer Support 2025 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 3rd Floor, Bronze Building, The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ. VAT no: 668265007