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Doctor wont biopsy a suspicious mole..
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Doctor wont biopsy a suspicious mole..

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Doctor wont biopsy a suspicious mole..

  • Post
    • October 5, 2016 at 7:29 pm
    Esmith123
    Participant

      I have a suspicious mole on my arm. My doctor says that because it is under 6 mm that he will not biopsy. Not even for peace of mind. It has 2 shades of brown, irregular boarder and from what me and my husband can see, it looks as though it is spreading some pigment. I live in Canada and if I want to see a skin specialist, I need to get a referral from my primary doctor and he says that he will not send me to a dermatologist or to get a second opinion. Has anyone in Canada been in a situation similar to this? Would a clinic or ER biopsy a mole?

      I don't know what else to do. I have expressed my concerns to my doctor but he says that he would only biopsy if it were over 6 mm and that a mole so small wouldn't be considered "cancerous." Doing research, I read that Melanoma CAN be found when it is under 6 mm. 

      Any information on how I should proceed would be greatly appreciated.
       

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        • October 5, 2016 at 8:04 pm
        snow white
        Participant

          I am new to all of this, but I would find another doctor if that is an option.  I am in the US so diffrent health care system.  I am sure those much more experienced will chime in with their thoughts.

          • October 5, 2016 at 8:04 pm
          snow white
          Participant

            I am new to all of this, but I would find another doctor if that is an option.  I am in the US so diffrent health care system.  I am sure those much more experienced will chime in with their thoughts.

            • October 5, 2016 at 8:04 pm
            snow white
            Participant

              I am new to all of this, but I would find another doctor if that is an option.  I am in the US so diffrent health care system.  I am sure those much more experienced will chime in with their thoughts.

              • October 5, 2016 at 8:06 pm
              jennunicorn
              Participant

                Could you pay out of pocket to go directly to a dermatologist? Or can you get a different doctor because this one clearly doesn't have his patient's best intrest in mind? I am not Canadian so I don't know how it works, but something needs to be done or said to get you to a different doctor. Of course it is very possible that it is not melanoma, it's more likely that it's nothing, but that shouldn't mean you can't get a biopsy if you ask for one, it's your health! This frustrates me, as I am sure it does you. So sorry, hopefully this can get resolved for you. 

                • October 5, 2016 at 8:06 pm
                jennunicorn
                Participant

                  Could you pay out of pocket to go directly to a dermatologist? Or can you get a different doctor because this one clearly doesn't have his patient's best intrest in mind? I am not Canadian so I don't know how it works, but something needs to be done or said to get you to a different doctor. Of course it is very possible that it is not melanoma, it's more likely that it's nothing, but that shouldn't mean you can't get a biopsy if you ask for one, it's your health! This frustrates me, as I am sure it does you. So sorry, hopefully this can get resolved for you. 

                  • October 5, 2016 at 8:06 pm
                  jennunicorn
                  Participant

                    Could you pay out of pocket to go directly to a dermatologist? Or can you get a different doctor because this one clearly doesn't have his patient's best intrest in mind? I am not Canadian so I don't know how it works, but something needs to be done or said to get you to a different doctor. Of course it is very possible that it is not melanoma, it's more likely that it's nothing, but that shouldn't mean you can't get a biopsy if you ask for one, it's your health! This frustrates me, as I am sure it does you. So sorry, hopefully this can get resolved for you. 

                    • October 6, 2016 at 3:39 pm
                    Patrisa
                    Participant

                      Pay from your own pocket and get some piece of mind!

                       

                      • October 6, 2016 at 3:39 pm
                      Patrisa
                      Participant

                        Pay from your own pocket and get some piece of mind!

                         

                        • October 6, 2016 at 3:39 pm
                        Patrisa
                        Participant

                          Pay from your own pocket and get some piece of mind!

                           

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