Dermatologist

Regulars on here will know how my biggest gripe for the last 8 years for getting a referral to a dermatologist.

My background:  I have had 10 different cancerous moles removed in my life.  Two of which were melanoma (the kind that kills).  As I did not have a specific mole I was concerned with, my GP could not refer me to a dermatologist on the NHS.  Skin checks/preventative care are not done (I get it, the NHS is stretched).

When I was in the USA on one of my last trips, I booked an appointment with my old dermatologist for a full skin check.  She identified 4 moles that she did not like and suggested I have them looked at further (she knew they were okay to wait a bit).  For those who think the USA costs are scary - my appointment was $60.  This is versus the £250 I paid (and paid to travel to in London) a few years ago.  This $60 appointment was MUCH more thorough than my £250 appointment was.

I went back to my GP, who gave me my referral to the dermatologist!

A few weeks ago, I finally had my appointment (took about 6 months which was fine, I just wanted to be on the NHS dermatology path).

Here's how my appointment went:

Doctor went through my history
 - My personal history of skin cancer
 - Father's melanoma
 - Paternal grandfather's melanoma
 - Maternal uncle having Stage 4 melanoma
 - Mother's less concerning skin cancers
 - I'd a redhead
 - I grew up in Florida

He said - and I quote - "We are going to keep a very close eye on you young lady."  WOO HOO!!!  He took some incredible microscope-view photographs of a few concerning moles.  He is also referring me for genetic testing as he thinks I'm the perfect candidate for their research.  The genetic screening would give an idea of risk levels, precautions to take, and also good information for my children.

I will see him every three months.  I AM SO HAPPY!!!!  EIGHT YEARS - Finally there.

I only had one negative takeaway from the appointment.  He implied a couple of times that the USA is too aggressive with dermatology.  He scoffed that the recent dermatology appointment used a polarized scope to view my moles of concern.  He also asked if my dermatologist was paid through insurance.

I was open and said "Yes, they would have been paid through insurance.  But at no time did I ever feel as though they were performing any unnecessary treatments.  I have many moles that I have raised as being concerned with that they have said 'that's fine' and no further treatment was taken."  Not to mention THEY REMOVED TWO MELANOMAS that would have KILLED me otherwise.   

So I get a little frustrated when they think Americans are over exaggerating.  Melanoma kills.  My dermatologist caught my two early and I'm still here.  Don't pawn it off as being unnecessary treatment.   

Anyway, long story longer, my takeaway is I'm finally in the system.  I'm being looked after.  And they are going to give me regular skin checks every three months.  I'm a happy bunny!

Now follow your own top tip and never ever let them discharge you back to your GP!  Not that you would.

I didn't know about the seriousness of your/your family's  melanoma history.   I'm so glad they're going to look after you properly, finally!  Well done on your persistence.  Maybe it's time to get some specialist action for myself...

That must be such a relief. Happy you're in safe hands now KFD! 

Doctor went through my history
  - I'm a redhead
 

There's no cure for that

All right, now that I have had my fun, I'll tell you guys something sad.  My stepsister had a mole removed when she was 18.  The doctor's office told her over the phone it was malignant melanoma.  No preperation, no nothing, just read it out.  She went and looked it up in the dictionary to find out that, in those days especially, it was nearly always fatal.  She died just 3 years later. 

She was a great person who loved good music and introduced me to Tom Petty, Talking Heads and Elvis Costello. 

There's no cure for that

Hee hee.  The doctor was quite excited to have someone to refer for genetic testing.  He was specifically writing that I grew up in Florida and not the USA, to ensure I get approved.  LOL.

The redhead hate thing is so British.  You've been here too long.

I do laugh at my husband's expense though.  We went on our first date about a month after we initially met.  I said, "Wow, I don't remember you being so tall."  He said, "I thought you were a brunette."  HEEE HEEE HEEE.  Memories!

Hooray!! Glad they've got you on the pathway now!

He implied a couple of times that the USA is too aggressive with dermatology.  He scoffed that the recent dermatology appointment used a polarized scope to view my moles of concern.  He also asked if my dermatologist was paid through insurance.

This made me chuckle. I did a stint in Plastic and Dermatology outpatients departments, here, with the NHS - some doctors scope everything, and some don't. Sometimes you know when a skin lesion looks dodgy, and sometimes you just can't tell.

I had a mole removed last year and worked the system backwards because I worked in the department I needed a referral to.  At first glance, the doctor who looked at it thought it was nothing - enter dermatoscope, and he changed his mind pretty quickly.  "Go see your GP urgently and get a 2 week wait referral," he said.

Sometimes I guess it's who you know...

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I had an amazing NHS dermatology experience when I was a student in London. I’m also a redhead from Florida with a family history of skin cancer.
I told the GP I had a suspicious mole, and she looked at it and said she wasn’t an expert so she would refer me. I had a dermatology appointment within a few weeks, and she said she wasn’t concerned about the mole but they could book an appointment to remove it in another few weeks if it made me feel better! I couldn’t believe how fast everything was, especially since it was free. I love the NHS.

I think any claims that the US is too aggressive are because they don’t understand that we spent our childhoods outside in the sun year round getting blistering sunburns! 😂

I think any claims that the US is too aggressive are because they don’t understand that we spent our childhoods outside in the sun year round getting blistering sunburns! 😂

Isn’t that the truth!

Woo hoo! I feel like sometimes you just need to know the magic combo of words to get referrals to the consultants who actually care and have the time to help.

It's been weird, even with how much the first doctor hated me she did give the needed obgyn referrals that were my "this needs to be looked at sooner" first issues because I was supposed to have an ablation  in the US and wasn't quite ready for that without physical and emotional support. Then on my next for my hips the doctor didn't even want to touch me because the US ortho severely injured me with an exam, straight referral. So while slow, its not any slower than the US if you know what you need and have that combo of right words. I also see the pain clinic in August and pray they will give me my meds back!

I'm really sorry to head about your stepsister Jim. My closest (in location) childhood friends lost their mom to melanoma when we were teenagers, I can't even imagine how hard that was for them. They were quickly whisked away by family and I never talked to them again.

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I'm really sorry to head about your stepsister Jim. My closest (in location) childhood friends lost their mom to melanoma when we were teenagers, I can't even imagine how hard that was for them. They were quickly whisked away by family and I never talked to them again.

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Thanks Margo.  Isn't that strange?  Yet another example of screwed up our parent's generation were.  Why wouldn't you recognise that a kid whose suffered a loss might not want to loose all their friends at the same time?  Is it so hard to arrange a visit? 

All right, now that I have had my fun, I'll tell you guys something sad.  My stepsister had a mole removed when she was 18.  The doctor's office told her over the phone it was malignant melanoma.  No preperation, no nothing, just read it out.  She went and looked it up in the dictionary to find out that, in those days especially, it was nearly always fatal.  She died just 3 years later. 

She was a great person who loved good music and introduced me to Tom Petty, Talking Heads and Elvis Costello.

Oh, so sad! I remember having doctors who would do that - not waste an appointment time to give you the test results. And having to go to the library to look things up.  I'm so sorry you lost your sister so young.