Experience of AI referral?

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Firstly apologies if this is a double post, I thought I posted last night but couldn't find the post now.

I have recently been referred under 2ww by the nurse at my GP for 2 suspicious looking moles. The nurse used a dermascope and took photos of the moles using the dermascope.

In 2021 I was referred for another mole, where I had an initial appt with a dermatologist who used a dermascope, the mole was removed by punch biopsy at a later appt a few weeks later and then about 6m later I had a WLE. 

This time, when I was referred, the nurse offered me two separate hospitals and said one uses AI and the other doesn't. I went with the non-AI option as I am very wary of AI but couldn't get an appointment for months, so on the advice of that clinic I asked the GP to refer me to the AI clinic to see if I could get seen quicker and I can, but the original non-AI clinic have now offered me an appt much sooner (still not within 2ww but only about 3 weeks away now).

Obviously the current process has changed from 2021, and from lurking and reading others' experiences here it seems that the AI appt is just more photos? So essentially adding another step to the process and repeating what has already been done.

All I want is for the moles to be removed and biopsied. Every dermatologist I've spoken to previously was adamant that you cannot diagnose just from looking. 

Anyone's experience or advice would be appreciated, i don't know whether it's better to go to this AI appt or wait the extra 2 weeks and see someone face to face (or would they just take photos at the f2f one as well?)

I have tried ringing the hospital but they never answer.

  • Hi  and a very warm welcome to the group which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

    AI is a fairly recent innovation so I don't have any experience with it as I was diagnosed nearly 9 years ago now.

    I've had a look through the group and found these previous posts, which mention AI, for you to have a look through.

    Let us know what you decide to do.

    ((hugs))

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     "Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"

  • Hi Latchbrook 

    Thank you for your reply but I can't see the link to the previous posts? Sorry if I'm being a bit thick lol.

  • No you're not being thick - it's me!

    I've now added the link. Sorry about that.

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     "Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"