If you have been through this service and been discharged, you would have been notified of this via a telephone call, SMS or letter from the Community Skin Lesion Hub team.
You were seen in the Community Skin Lesion Hub and attended a photography clinic where you completed a questionnaire and had photographs taken of a mole or skin lesion(s).
As part of your appointment to have your skin lesion(s) investigated, you consented for an artificial intelligence computer programme called DERM to be used. DERM works by electronically assessing a detailed image of your lesion that is taken with a special lens called a dermatoscope. DERM provides a suspected diagnosis and what the most appropriate next steps should be for your care. More information about DERM can be found here.
DERM has determined that it is unlikely that you have skin cancer and therefore no further appointment is necessary.
Although your skin lesion was diagnosed as probably benign (harmless) it is always worth continuing to monitor this lesion along with the rest of your skin.
You can find out more about how to keep an eye on your skin and reduce your future risk of skin cancer by reading the information below.
Seborrhoeic keratosis is a benign (non-cancerous) thickening on the surface of the skin. They are common in adulthood and tend to increase with age. They do not carry an increased risk of skin cancer. If you would like more information about seborrhoeic keratoses, you can find patient information leaflets at dermnetnz.org and patient.info/skin-conditions.
A dermatofibroma is a harmless and common overgrowth of the fibrous tissue in the skin. It does not turn into skin cancer. The exact cause is unknown but it may develop after minor trauma such as insect bite or skin prick from a thorn. If you would like more information about dermatofibromas, you can find patient information at dermnetnz.org.
Vascular lesions are harmless collections of blood vessels. Treatment is not required unless they are causing troublesome bleeding. Please speak to your GP if this is the case.
A benign melanocytic naevus is a benign mole. If you would like more information about benign melanocytic naevi, click the button above.
Solar lentigo, or sun freckles, are a harmless growth associated with sun damage. If you would like more information about solar lentigo, you can find a patient information leaflet at dermnetnz.org.
It is important to check your skin regularly for any changes. You may want to ask a family member or a friend to examine your back or hard-to-see areas.
Following the ABCDE rules can help you identify potentially worrying features:
If you notice any of the changes described above or are concerned about a mole or patch of skin for any other reason, you should contact your GP practice as soon as possible.
Unprotected exposure to UV radiation can increase your risk of skin cancer. It is therefore important to be careful in the sun.
The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) have compiled the following ‘Top Sun Safety Tips’ to protect your skin:
Further information about how to monitor your skin and reduce your future risk of skin cancer can be found on the following links:
