Who to see about a mole?

I have a mole on my chest which has doubled in the last four years.  I don't like it, but also want to make sure it is okay, just growing due to hormones or whatever.  I want it removed, but not in a way which leaves a scar.

Do I see the GP?  If I were in the States, I'd see a cosmetic surgeon, the same one who lasered off my tatoo.  But I have no clue here in England.
TIA.

I would guess GP first - then they might refer you to someone else.  I have two horrid warts on my thumb that I have been treating with OTC meds for the last year and they're still there.  If I was in the US I'd go to a dermatologist who could put the dry ice stuff on them, but here I'm just not sure.   

Yes, I think Geeta is right - you need to see your GP first and if s/he is concerned they will refer you to a specialist.

I have a couple of moles that I keep an eye on - I've only seen a doctor about one once and thankfully it was fine. But I think the main things to look for are changes in shape or... what's the word... texture? Like if they get lumpier, etc. And bleeding. And if they become asymetrical. Those are worrying signs. But you're smart to have them checked - skin cancer is easy to treat if it's caught early!

Okay, GP it is, thanks much.  I do not like the guy, so that sucks but oh well.

Okay, GP it is, thanks much.  I do not like the guy, so that sucks but oh well.

Do you go to a practice with a bunch of GPs all together? My SIL just told me that you can request to change GPs within a practice. I'm trying to get dh to switch to mine but he's stubborn (why oh why, even though they're not satisifed, are some people so bloody minded about change??!!) Sorry - thread hijack!

The one time my GP acted!  See them and tell them.  Tell them you have a mole that is growing.  I swear you'll get in double quick.  I was at a dermo in a fortnight.  It's nothing to muck about with.  Go!

Good luck.

Do you go to a practice with a bunch of GPs all together?

Yes, we do and I should make the change to another, and haven't done it yet.  I've felt hesitant b/c I felt awkward about switching, like they would ask me why, etc.

But probably if I'm seen, the GP will order lots of tests (to earn himself some £) based on the BBC report yesterday!   Maybe he's one who makes £250k a year...

Anyway, I'm in the States in two months, I might wait and see the dermatologist then.

I would not leave it any longer it may be harmless but it is not worth taking the risk get it looked at yesterday if it is anything more than just a mole you could risk them having to take out more of the area around it they will send you straight away if you tell them you have left it for 4 years.

Sorry but I have had a few of my family die because of cancer and leaving this mole to chance please go and see your doctor if it is nothing then you can leave it but if you leave it and it is serious there may not be any turning back from it.

Good luck

Well, I waited three months until I could see a dermatologist in the States and I'm glad I did.  He froze it off, it wasn't a concern for cancer at all.  Cheap, too!

Some things I still like to wait until I'm in the States, and can get a recommendation from family/friends.

I have a very typical redhead complexion--lots of moles, and more keep coming (I'm now 27).

I've had c.20 removed (well, 12 small ones from my neck and 8 either growing or ones which were in awkward places), and I've been told to have a doctor look at them regularly and keep removing them at intervals (say, once a year).

Will they remove moles that aren't necessarily potentially irregular in England? Also, will I be able to get a GP to refer me to a dermatologist for these checkups? I don't know if I trust GPs to make proper decisions with something they aren't specialized in--and also because moles just keep coming and growing (and this will speed up as I get older, I'm sure), so preventive measures are good.

funny... just posted something in grievences re: GP's and Moles and Derms....

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=26424.0

I have a very typical redhead complexion--lots of moles, and more keep coming (I'm now 27).

I've had c.20 removed (well, 12 small ones from my neck and 8 either growing or ones which were in awkward places), and I've been told to have a doctor look at them regularly and keep removing them at intervals (say, once a year).

Will they remove moles that aren't necessarily potentially irregular in England? Also, will I be able to get a GP to refer me to a dermatologist for these checkups? I don't know if I trust GPs to make proper decisions with something they aren't specialized in--and also because moles just keep coming and growing (and this will speed up as I get older, I'm sure), so preventive measures are good.

i'm 23 and i have lighter skin but brown hair and i've had over 30 moles removed, 2 of which were cancerous and i had to have surgery to remove the cancer.  i go for checks every 6 months too and that's really the only thing i'm worried about about moving to the uk.  does anyone know of a good dermatologist in london?  i had a good one where i live, but she moved back to greece and now i've been to 2 new ones and they kinda suck. oh also with the NHS can you just go directly to a dermatologist or do you have to have a GP refer you?

oh also with the NHS can you just go directly to a dermatologist or do you have to have a GP refer you?

a GP will refer you.  access to specialist care under the NHS is thru your GP.

a GP will refer you

So, basically I'm going to have to trust a GP to know whether a certain mole might be suspicious or not? 
Oh crap.

lisa--sorry to hear about the cancerous moles.

So, basically I'm going to have to trust a GP to know whether a certain mole might be suspicious or not? 
Oh crap.

If for some reason you don't trust your GP to recognise a suspicious mole, you could always pay to go private.
We pay for medical care in the US, I'm not sure why it becomes such a foriegn concept when moving to the UK.