Mole Check in Leeds
It's very common to have moles that we are uncertain about. When you notice that a mole may be changing in size, shape or colour, it's advisable to get the opinion of a specialist.
At Skin Surgery Clinic we offer a mole check service, involving a specialist assessment for those patients with moles that they are concerned about. This is available with no waiting list.
Mole checks are appropriate for all patients, whether they have a history of skin cancer or otherwise.
If you have multiple moles or would benefit from full body skin cancer screening, you may wish to read about our computer-assisted Mole Mapping service instead.
What happens in a mole check appointment?
Your Consultant will examine any skin lesions that are of concern to you. This will be done by eye or under magnification with a dermatoscope. With their years of experience they can usually diagnose a lesion very quickly, though some may require a more careful inspection.
Depending on your medical history, your Consultant may go on to examine your whole body. If you want a full body skin cancer screening, please also consider booking a Mole Mapping appointment.
Mole checks are carried out by our Consultant Dermatologists. Sometimes they may also be carried out by one of our Consultant Plastic Surgeons, who sit on the local NHS Skin Cancer Multidisciplinary Teams and also carry out skin cancer screening and removal surgery. So we should be able to offer you an appointment quickly.
The appointment includes an assessment of risk factors and a full cutaneous examination of the skin with a dermatoscope. Any areas or specific lesions of concern will be documented and discussed with you. To assess change over time, six-monthly or annual skin cancer screening appointments are recommended.
Part of the appointment will focus on educating you about the early warning signs of skin cancer and how to best protect your skin going forward.
What if a mole looks suspicious?
Most patients will leave with peace of mind that they need to do nothing more than continue to monitor their moles over time. Some patients will need further diagnosis or treatment.
Because of the expertise of the Consultants on our team, we are able to go further than simply checking and screening for Skin Cancer.
If a mole appears to be suspicious in any way, the options will be discussed with you. These may include taking a sample of the mole to have it analysed, or removing the mole surgically.
Mole Check prices
Mole Check | £195 |
Punch Biopsy for suspect moles | from £325 |
Our Mole Check Team
Are you worried about a mole?
Don't leave it too long to get it checked out. Melanoma is relatively rare, but is becoming more common. There are currently almost 13,000 new cases diagnosed each year in the UK and it is one of the most common cancers in younger people. More than 2,000 people die every year in the UK due to melanoma.
Do I need an NHS referral?
We are a registered medical clinic, governed by the Care Quality Commission. Because of this, we do not require a referral from your GP or hospital in order to offer you consultations and treatment.
What if the Consultant says I need treatment?
We can either refer you straight back to your GP for treatment or, if you decide to have treatment privately with us, your GP will immediately be informed and will be kept up to date at every stage of the treatment.
This service is ideal for patients who would like:
- to explore a faster option than the NHS
- to be diagnosed, treated and reviewed privately.
Key Information
- Consultant-led Service
- GP referral available if needed
- Private skin cancer treatment available at the clinic
- Detailed documentation & plan going forward
- Full medical team support
- Biopsy & histology service available
Why choose Private Skin Cancer Treatment?
The NHS generally offers a rapid diagnosis of skin cancer but patients are increasingly finding that the waiting list for treatment can be quite lengthy.
In particular, patients waiting for basal cell carcinoma removal (often shortened to "BCC removal") or rodent ulcers, can wait for several months or longer to be operated on. Once patients know that they have skin cancer, many want to have the lesion removed immediately.
The Private Skin Cancer Treatment service is consultant-led by Mr David Watt (Consultant Plastic Surgeon).
Our Consultant Plastic Surgeons and Consultant Dermatologists all work within the NHS as well as privately at our clinic. They also sit on their local Skin Cancer MDT boards around West Yorkshire, which monitor all patients with skin cancer. We are able to diagnose and treat most skin lesions. Treatment may involve multiple procedures.
The ABCDE Self-Check
A IS FOR ASYMMETRY
Are both halves of the mole the same size & shape? A melanoma is often asymmetrical.
B IS FOR BORDER
Is the border of the mole even? Melanomas tend to have an uneven or crusty border.
C IS FOR COLOUR
Is the mole uniform in colour? A melanoma will often contain a variety of colours.
D IS FOR DIAMETER
What size is the mole? A melanoma is often larger than a pencil eraser, but can be smaller
E IS FOR EVOLVING
Has the mole changed? Get a mole checked if it has changed shape, colour, has become itchy, bleeds or has a scab.
Examples of moles that are suspicious for malignancy
Examples of moles that are benign (non-suspicious)
Our Consultant Dermatologists also offer advice on the following skin conditions:
- Dry and sensitive skin
- Eczema and dermatitis
- Psoriasis
- Rosacea
- Acne - advice on treatments and scaring
- Allergies (including urticaria)
- Vitiligo
Our Consultant Plastic Surgeons also offer treatment for the following skin conditions:
- Keloid scarring
- Moles
- Seborrhoeic Keratosis
- Cysts