Getting diagnosed

Your GP will look at your mole, or abnormal area on your skin. They will ask you what you have noticed about it.

They will decide whether to refer you to a specialist. If you have a melanoma you will have more tests to find out how big it is and whether it has spread. This is called staging. 

Screening for melanoma skin cancer

There is no national screening programme for melanoma skin cancer in the UK. The best way to pick up melanoma early is for people to know the symptoms and see their GP if they have any of them.

Seeing your GP for symptoms of melanoma skin cancer

You should see your GP if you develop a new mole or abnormal area of skin. Or if you notice a change to an existing mole. They will look at the mole or abnormal skin patch. And may refer you to a skin specialist (dermatologist).

Referral to a melanoma skin cancer specialist

Your GP should arrange for you to see a specialist if you have skin changes that could be due to melanoma skin cancer.  Depending on your symptoms and other factors, this might be an urgent suspected cancer referral.

Tests to diagnose

Your doctor examines and removes the abnormal area of skin to see if you have melanoma.

Tests to stage

These tests find out how deep the melanoma is and whether it has spread. This tells you the stage of your melanoma.

Last reviewed: 
25 Mar 2020
Next review due: 
25 Mar 2023