Who to see about a mole?

i found that my UK GP was ready to ere on the side of caution when it can to referring me to the dermatolgist...

i found that my UK GP was ready to ere on the side of caution when it can to referring me to the dermatolgist...

That's good to hear.  Melanoma cases are on the rise, and the cancer itself, if caught early, is highly treatable.

The Lothians (Edinburgh and outwith) is seeing a record number of cases, particularly among males. 

My husband is a blue-eyed blonde who burned lots as a kid and spent many a summer in Ibiza as a lad, frying to a crisp.

I watch him like a hawk and he now diligently applies factor 30 every summer morning.

The Ultra-sun and Bergasol brands really do last all day.

We pay for medical care in the US, I'm not sure why it becomes such a foriegn concept when moving to the UK.

Not all of us are moving from the US to the UK. No need to get snippy.

i found that my UK GP was ready to ere on the side of caution when it can to referring me to the dermatolgist...

This is very, very good to hear.

Not all of us are moving from the US to the UK. No need to get snippy.

Just found it odd that you're criticizing a system you've never used.  And I stand by what I said.  If you don't feel a GP is medically qualified enough to recognize a dodgy mole, there is always the option to pay to see a specialist.

yeah!!! update on mole situation.  i orginally saw my GP on 30-June and after being wrongly referred to a private hospital i now have an appointment at an NHS clinic on 14-August.  the nice thing was that they rang me last night to confirm that the 14-Aug at such and such a time worked for me.  quite nice.  6 week wait is better than i get in the US for a dermatologist...

hope it goes well for you, meggles!

Just found it odd that you're criticizing a system you've never used.

And I find it odd that I have to leave it to a GP's discretion to refer me onwards. I have had moles removed that looked completely fine (and that a GP had not been concerned with when I'd pointed them out during a visit regarding something else), but which the dermatologist had insisted on removing.

The system I am used to is very similar to the NHS in some ways, which is why I was a bit shocked, but am I really not allowed to be critical?

The system I am used to is very similar to the NHS in some ways, which is why I was a bit shocked, but am I really not allowed to be critical?

 Your're being critical about something you've never used, and are only making a guess at what MIGHT happen, so in my opinion, no, you shouldn't be critical. 

 Anyway, in my opinion when it comes to the NHS, you either like it or lump it.

I'm sorry, Mindy, for upsetting you. I did not mean to do so, and I have read my posts over and don't think I was out of line. I am being sincere in my apology, and I do appreciate the help here (and I was relieved to know that the GP's do err on the safe side with matters like this).

I am, however, PMSing like mad, so I'm going to stop this before the PMS monster in me awakens and I say something I'd rather not.

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. 

Or change GP's.  I love my practice and have received 99% stellar care my two years with them.  Far better than many of my Docs in the US.  When I could not get what I wanted from NHS (datign scan) I went private.

I can confirm you can have a mole removed on the NHS even if there's nothing wrong with it.  I simply went to the GP and told her I'd like the mole removed and she referred me, no questions asked. I'm waiting for my appointment now. She also said the mole will be analysed after it's removed to make sure there's nothing untoward.

I can confirm you can have a mole removed on the NHS even if there's nothing wrong with it.

That is so good to hear, thank you for posting that.
I'll be booking myself an appointment somewhat soon.

update on my mole situation hoping it puts some people at ease.  saw the NHS dermatologist.  he was very through and took a full family history (skin wise).  he said that although this particular mole doesn't look dangerous, it was good for me to come in.  he gave me an open appointment for the next year.  if i see any other suspicious moles, etc i can make an appointment directly with the hospital without needing to go to see my GP first.  saves on step of the process....

if i see any other suspicious moles, etc i can make an appointment directly with the hospital without needing to go to see my GP first.  saves on step of the process....

that is good to know; I don't know how it works in your area but after my GP wrote the referral leter I waited over a month til I received a letter in the post this week giving me a number to call to make an appointment ... I rang straight away and was given the first available appointment which isn't til the end of October... I don't understand why the GP couldn't have just given me the number to call in the first place!