Seeing your GP for symptoms of melanoma skin cancer

See your GP if you develop a new mole or abnormal area of skin. This includes on the soles of your feet and the skin under your nails. Or if you notice a change to an existing mole.

Even if you’re worried about what it might be, you shouldn’t delay seeing them. Your worry is unlikely to go away if you don’t make an appointment. You won’t be wasting your GP’s time. It might not be cancer. But if it is, the earlier it's picked up the more likely it can be successfully treated.

Getting the most out of your GP appointment

It can be difficult to remember everything you want to say and ask when you see your GP. These tips will help you get the most out of your appointment.

Tips

• Make a note of when you first noticed the abnormal mole or area of skin, and if there's been any changes to it.

• Write down any questions you have when you think of them.

• If you would prefer to see a male or female doctor, ask when you book the appointment - the receptionist will tell you if it's possible.

• Have a friend or relative with you for support - they can also ask questions and take notes to help you remember what your GP says.

• Tell your GP if you're worried about cancer.

• Tell them if you have a family history of cancer.

• Ask your GP to explain anything you don’t understand.

• Ask your GP to write things down for you if you think this might help - if you're having a telephone or video appointment ask for the information to be left at reception for you to pick up.

This short video shows how to get the most out of a phone and digital appointment with your doctor. The video lasts 1 minute and 43 seconds.

What happens during your GP appointment

Your GP will look at your mole or abnormal area of skin. They might:

• measure it with a ruler or against a marker scale
• take a photo so they can record any changes
• examine it closely with a dermatoscope (like a magnifying glass)
• compare it to your other moles or other areas of your skin

There are particular features of moles that they look out for, such as changes in size, colour and shape. And if there is any inflammation, bleeding or itching.

They will also ask about your general health and any other health problems you have.

During the appointment your doctor may want to examine you. You can ask for someone else to be in the room with you if you want, to act as a chaperone. A chaperone is a trained health professional such as a nurse. A friend or relative can also stay with you for support. They can be with you during the examination or throughout the appointment.

At the end of the appointment your GP might:

• reassure you
• refer you to a skin specialist (dermatologist), or pigmented lesion clinic if there's one in your area
• take a photograph and refer you to a teledermatology clinic

A pigmented lesion clinic is a skin (dermatology) clinic that specialises in picking up suspicious moles and diagnosing melanoma.

Teledermatology is where you have digital pictures taken of a mole or patch of skin. Your GP might take the pictures. Or you might have to go to a special clinic to have them taken. They send the pictures to a dermatologist so they can decide if they need to see you.

Ask your GP to explain if they don’t think you need a referral. They might ask you to go back in a couple of weeks or months so they can monitor the mole or abnormal area of skin. Go back earlier if you notice any further changes.

Questions you might want to ask your GP

• Do I need to see a specialist, is it urgent?
• How long can I expect to wait?
• Where will I see them?
• Will I find out about my appointment by post or telephone?
• Will I need tests? What will they involve?

Your GP might not be able to answer all of your questions. But they will tell you what they can at this point. Not knowing is difficult to cope with and can make you anxious. Speaking to a friend or relative about how you feel might help.

If your GP doesn’t think you need any tests or a referral

You might want to ask them:

• to explain why you don’t need to have tests or to see a specialist
• if there is anything you can do to help yourself
• what changes you should look out for

What happens next

Make sure you know what happens next. Make another appointment if you notice any more changes to your mole or skin. Or if you're still concerned.

How to find a GP

If you don’t have a GP, you can find a doctor’s surgery in your local area by going to:

Making an appointment

To make an appointment you:

• can telephone your GP surgery

• can book an appointment online through your GP surgery website (if they have one)

• may be able to use the NHS App

• may be able to go into the GP surgery and make an appointment in person

If it's difficult to get through to the GP surgery by phone try calling at a different time of the day. Or try calling on a different day. It could be particularly busy in the mornings or on a Monday. Although it can be frustrating you should keep trying. Some GP surgeries offer to call you back if you are in a telephone queue.  

You might be able to go to your GP surgery to book an appointment. But not all surgeries offer this service. It may help to see if your GP surgery has a website - this will explain the best way to get an appointment. 

You don’t have to tell the receptionist why you want to see the doctor, although sometimes it might help to explain your situation.

The reception team are trained in offering you an appointment with the most suitable professional at the right time. Depending on your symptoms, you might see another healthcare professional such as a nurse or physician associate first.

You may be asked to attend in person, especially if your GP needs to examine you. Or the receptionist may offer you a telephone or video appointment first. If your GP needs to see you after this they will ask you to make another appointment. The receptionist will give you a date and time for this. 

Accept a booked appointment even if you think it’s a long time to wait. You could ask about cancellations if you're able to get to the surgery at short notice. Check that the surgery has the right details for you, including your telephone number and email.  

Contact the GP surgery again if your symptoms change or get worse.