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A few weeks ago I noticed a black dot on the inside of my arm. My gp referred me to dermatologist who I saw last week and today I had an excision biopsy. I photographed it over the past 4 weeks and it has changed so rapidly. I know I’ve had it removed now but the wait for results is terrifying. Trying to keep my mind off it but can’t help but get consumed by the ‘what if’s’ It was very small, black and raised, jagged edges but filled out over past few weeks and became darker. I’m a single Mum so I’m just worried about the possibilities. Now with Christmas I know the results will probably take longer. Anybody have any idea? Or advice? Or been through similar? Thank you

Hi, I had a mole removal on April 8th, 2021. It was my 2nd mole removal procedure, first one was done two years ago, and I was doing it in a different country. Wanted to ask about getting results in Ireland... I have called my GP and they still haven't received my results. Called the dermatologist today, and they have said the results were already sent, however, they will send it once again to my GP. I am under stress a bit... Could you please tell me from your experience how GP is calling out the results for the following procedure? Do they tell you if it's all good over the phone or there will be an appointment anyway, no matter the result? I have been referred for the mole removal around the end of March, since then around 20 new moles appeared so I am going crazy a bit waiting on that result... Thank you for your support in advance. Regards, Daria

I’ve had a biopsy to remove a mole and was told my GP would let me know the results in 4/5 weeks. I receive a letter from the hospital five days after my biopsy to say that I am due a review appointment in a month. I was meant to have the review appointment in two months. When I rang to find out why my appointment had been changed, I was informed that the consultant had asked for it to be moved up to a sooner date to recieve my biopsy results. Now I am worried it could be bad news, anyone ever go through something similar? Any advice would be amazing. I know I shouldn’t focus on a negative outlook but I’m so worried.

Hi all, I just had two freckles removed this week and already received a letter to get the results at the end of the month. As I went through this before 3 years ago my nerves are getting the better of me. Is the appointment standard for both good and news? Last time was bad news but early stages. Thanks in advance.

Hello, I'm hoping for some advice and help. yesterday I attended the hospital to get a mole checked. I've had this odd looking mole for years and have shown it to my GP several times and they have always said it was fine. The only reason I was sent to get it checked as my doctor thinks I have health anxiety. I had my second baby 10 months ago and my body just hasn't settled down. in the past 5 months I've had a chest MRI (due to a routine chest xray saying there was a shadow) which was clear. I've had an MRI to check for MS as I went to the doc with a burning above my knee. that was clear. I had a routine breast check while at the GP and she said she felt a lump under my arm pit so 2 weeks ago I went to the breast clinic. the doctor examined me and couldn't find anything but sent me for a mammogram anyway. still waiting for results. I went to the GP as felt a lump in my abdomen. He said it was a harmless lipoma but sent me for an ultrasound and they couldn't see any lump or lipoma. I asked again about my mole and he agreed to send me to get it checked. I think just to get me out of his office. The nurse used a dermoscope and a while later the consultant came in, took a 2 second look at it and told me she was very worried about it and wanted it out immediately and she booked me in for her next day of surgery on Tuesday. I asked her if it looked bad and she said she believes there is something very nasty there but that she is hopeful to have caught it early. I'm in such a state. I have a 3 year old and a 10 month old. I'm 42. I don't want to die. I know to expect melanoma after what she said but I'm terrified after leaving it all these years that its advanced to stage 3 or stage 4. the nurse told me I would be waiting 2 to 3 weeks aswell to find out. I'm terrified and distraught and just wondered if anyone was contacted quicker if they were in stage 3 or 4 or if anyone was stupid like me to leave it years. I'm so sorry for the long post but I don't know what to do. thank you xx

Hi everyone, I had a mole excision on 28th of January. My consultant was concerned it could be melanoma. She said 10-14 days for biopsy results. Currently 11 days. My friend tells me I'm silly to worry as I would have heard by now if it was bad news. Just wondering if anyone had any experiences with wait times and if cancer diagnosis meant expedited results? Many thanks, Elaine

My brother has recently being diagnosed with melanoma - detected in a gland in his groin. He has met with his consultant but is now waiting on a PET scan. He has private health insurance and I was wondering if anyone knew approximately how long he will be waiting??

If you've been affected by a skin cancer diagnosis in your life and are interested in sharing your story to help raise awareness and save lives, we'd like to hear from you.A major part of our work at the Irish Cancer Society is to educate people on cancer prevention, risk factors for developing cancer, signs and symptoms of cancer and the importance of early detection. Hearing from people who have been through a cancer journey will help us to do that.To learn more or share your story, please visit https://www.cancer.ie/volunteer/help-others/share-your-story.

Hi all, My 73 year old father was diagnosed with this rare aggressive type of skin cancer in Aug 2016, and has undergone surgery , 4 rounds of chemo, 6 weeks of radiotherapy last year and is undergoing 10 more sessions of radiotherapy at the moment. Just wondering if there is anyone out there with experience of this type of cancer ? I have recently found out about immunotherapy (bavencio/ avelumab) treatment for metastatic MCC and see it is being widely used in the states. Is this something that needs to be discussed with the oncologist as to my knowledge it has never been advised as a treatment option and I only discovered by fluke online.any advise greatly appreciated

Hi, I was recently diagnosed with melanoma and the diagnosis came out of the blue as the lesion I had was nothing like the typical highly pigmented pictures you typically see of melanoma lesions. With red hair, blue eyes and pale freckled skin, I thought nothing of what initially looked like a few joined up freckles. As I have ezcema elsewhere, when the joined up freckles started to look a bit irritated and have flaky skin it never occurred to me that it could be dangerous. I found out later that what should have alerted me was the fact that it was painless when touched, even when rubbed hard, that it had irregular borders and that it was evolving. All of this to say that melanoma has many guises and that it is always worth following up anything suspicious that doesn't heal as you expect. Best to all Kath