Hi there.
Im not new to the site due to having very close family members (my mum, brother and Aunty) pass from different types of cancers. But I am looking for some support and advice on what I am experiencing at the moment. I am a 38 year old Female. Very fair skinned but not much of a sun worshiper until I was in Egypt in May of last year and did burn in the area of which I am concerned.
At the start of December 2025, I had an itch behind my left thigh, and when I itched it I noticed it was over a exciting mole I have had since before I can remember. It was random, but I thought I would check if there was a skin rash as it was continuously itching for a period of time throughout that day. I took a mirror and my phone, trying as best I can to snap a good photo. From what I can remember this mole was always a small round medium brown colour, nothing unusual but looking at the photo I noticed it had a few darker brown spots at the edge and little bit blurred edging.
Thinking not much of it I decided to keep an eye on it over the next month before making any drastic conclusions, however after taking a photo the following week I noticed a few more changes, more darker brown in the middle with a white spot (kind of like a white head). I decided to take a measurement and it was measuring approx 7mm. I called for appointment thought it best to get checked out giving family history. and was giving an appointment for 8th Jan. kept taking weekly photos and noticed more change. The white head like spot had gone and left a black centre in the mole. more blurry like edging and itching a few times a week but not all the time it was random.
I called again on the 5th and managed to get emergency app with GP, he knows my family history due to treating my mum and keeping up to date with my brothers diagnoses, so after examining he requested an urgent referral to dermatologist at the hospital for further examination in which I have this app Monday 26th Jan. I know this is all standard given the changes/family history etc. I guess what I'm looking for here is if anyone (good or bad results) has been through the same process, had the same type of symptoms with a diagnoses or benign result from the outcome?
I am worried because I have a 11 year old daughter, who after losing alot of people so close to her from cancers, but I am driving myself mad trying to look for photos of moles similar to mine and knowing the changing I have had with mine are most of the key warning signs for Melanoma is a massive worry.
Some family history; My mum passed of Non hodgkins Lymphoma at age 68 in 2018. My brother passed of cancer of unknown primary (brain) at age of 49 in 2024 and my Aunty (blood on my mums side) passed of lung cancer but also had BCC on nose, age 70+ in 2025. I should also mention my mum had a blackhead for a number of years on her nose which she did not get checked before she passed but which grow slightly and did not heal at all, we are unsure if this was a BCC undiagnosed.
Any support or advice or experiences of your own that you can tell, and advice on what to expect at the dermatology app, and possibly therefore after this would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Nicola
Hi Nicola/NicolaJD87 and a very warm welcome to our corner of the online community.
Over the years I have had diagnoses of melanoma and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) but equally some lesions, which have been removed, have turned out to be benign.
When you go for your dermatology appointment next week, the consultant will examine the mole that your GP has referred you for. They might use a handheld device called a dermatoscope, which basically magnifies the area of the skin they're looking at. You could also point out any other areas of concern you might have at the same time.
After you've been examined the consultant will either recommend that you have the mole removed and sent off for biopsy or they might take photos and ask you to come back after a period of time so that they can check you again. If they do decide to have the mole removed it doesn't mean that it's cancer, as the only definite way they can tell is if it's biopsied.
Do come back and let us know how it goes on Monday.
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
