New, scared and waiting to be seen by dermatology...

Hi P. 

I'm not under NHS Scotland, however when you see the dermatologist, they will give you a full body check (& if they don't offer this, ask them to do so, and point out your other area of concern). 

Good luck and best wishes for whatever the results are. 

Thank you very much for your response!

Hello there. I’m not under NHS Scotland but when I saw Dermatology about a lesion on my foot they offered complete removal or a biopsy, either option to be done on the day. I wasn’t given a full skin check and didn’t think to ask but as Emo says you can ask for it and I would definitely point out the lesion under your knee. They will hopefully want to err on the side of caution so will either biopsy it or check it and rule out melanoma. 

All the best. I know it must be a horrible time waiting for your appointment. I’m a real worrier! Last time I was panicking about something, my partner told me why not just assume you are ok unless you are told otherwise? Which I thought was a bit dumb but it did actually help! And it turned out I was worrying about nothing. 

Thank you Cerys30. That's good they offered you it on the day, hopefully the same with me!

Funnily enough I have been living by the "don't worry about it until it's something to worry about" but I think cause it's now two days till my appointment my anxiety has spiralled and now I'm worrying!

Hi 

I had a small scar on my chin from teenage years and I’m 60+ now and 3 years ago it became a mole brownish in colour I just thought it was a mole then last Summer it got bigger and more translucent so I went to GP who put me on quick pathway and on day at dermatologist it was taken off the worst but is the waiting after 10-12 weeks for results mine unfortunately was melanoma and 6mm on surface but 2.3mm deep this put me in the intermediate section so just had wider excision and one lymph node that drained that area taken away the another 6-8 week wait and now NED so pleased I was scared tbh just like you I was lucky the hospital I have been treated at have been incredible and you feel so supported 

you cannot blame yourself for sunbathing it can happen to people who don’t sun worship it’s just one of those things in life 

At your appointment I would mention your other worries and I’m sure they won’t say it’s only about this one they would not neglect one if they think it’s needs treatment because time is a priority with skin cancer 

I hope all goes well let us all know and I have found this forum really good you can speak openly with people outside your own circle who are thinking as you are 

Goid Luck 

CMK

Thanks for your reply! I honestly can't complain how quickly it's all happening, my GP is great. I only seen her last week and I have dermatology on Thursday so hopefully I know something sooner rather than later! So glad you are now NED, that must be a relief!

I will certainly update once I've seen the Dermatologist!

**Little Update** I have been to see dermatology this morning, and unfortunately the consultant said she was 90% certain it was a Melanoma  I have to go back this afternoon to get an excision biopsy done and she has already pencilled me in for my results face to face. 

I am even more scared than I was before and the wait for results will be brutal! I am clinging on to the hope that there is a 10% chance it might not be! But I could tell from her face and the questions she was asking me. 

Is the biopsy site quite a big scar? Or does it depend on what size the lesion is? Mine is measuring approx. 10mm. It's on my inner thigh so will walking be an issue? It's high-ish up so rubbing/chaffing will be a problem!

I think I had a couple of stitches after the biopsy. Mine was on the sole of my foot but they said I could walk on it immediately (I didn’t, I left it a few days). It was all fine after about 3-4 days. I had dissolvable stitches. The wound was small, and my lesion was probably about the same size as yours or a bit bigger. 

Hopefully you caught it early and all will be ok even if it is a melanoma

Best wishes

I am under NHS England but on their 5 year pathway as the lesion on my arm was not very big but after initial biopsy turned out to be over 4mm on the Breslow scale. Of course the waiting between any visits is so difficult. I had a WLE and 2 lymph nodes removed 4 weeks ago and now waiting to see plastic surgeon and team for results. Then if all good I continue with 3 month ct scans and checks. If it has spread I will stay under Southampton oncology. I think you have to listen to everyone on here who are all so positive. Waiting is tricky but you are being cared for and modern treatments are amazing. So much has been learnt about the best treatments for melanoma and results are very positive no matter what the circumstances.

my diagnosis was so delayed, opportunities missed etc but that’s the past. Now I’m concentrating on a good future! Good luck and sending positivity. Fiona

Hi Fiona, 

I had mine excised yesterday, forgot to ask if they just took the top layer off or do they take the whole thing out... It didn't look very deep from what I seen so hopefully that's a positive! 

I am pencilled in for 25th September for my results, but would like to think they will be in touch before then if it definitely is, however, reading some stories on here it's not the case. I go on holiday on 10th September so maybe she just didn't want to ruin my holiday for me!

I think it's cause I'm only 34 and the C word scares me. I know there are people much worse than me though! I'm trying to live under the mantra of "don't worry about it until it's something to worry about".. but even that is proving slightly difficult just now!

Good luck with your results and I hope they all come back clear!x