If you have a new or changing or unusual mole or a non-healing sore, you should always seek advice from an expert as these signs can sometimes be symptoms of skin cancer.

If your GP is concerned that your mole or sore might be a serious form of skin cancer, your GP will need a diagnosis from a specialist.

Your GP may refer you to your local hospital for an appointment within 2 weeks or you may be offered a tele-dermatology service.

TELEDerm® is an award-winning tele-dermatolgy service which provides your GP with a ‘next day’ diagnosis by a MOLE Clinic® specialist expert in dermoscopy.

Your GP will use a smartphone to access the secure TELEDerm® App and complete a clinical form. Your GP will then attach a dermatoscope to the smartphone (see image opposite) to add a dermoscopic image (see image below) to the form. The form is then electronically transferred to MOLE Clinic® specialists for review.

A TELEDerm® consultation normally takes around 5 minutes.

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence recommends dermoscopy as a specialist technique for diagnosing skin cancer.

A dermatoscope is an illuminated microscope with provides a detailed view of structures beneath the surface of the skin which are invisible to the naked eye.

Non-invasive and completely safe, dermoscopy enables a skin specialist to differentiate between a normal mole and a skin cancer with much greater accuracy.

If your GP has used TELEDerm®, you should expect a phone call from your surgery on the next business day with your report.

Approximately 75% of patients with a TELEDerm® report receive welcome reassurance that their mole or sore is not skin cancer and a hospital referral is not required.

The remaining 25% of patients may still be referred to their local hospital as a precaution to rule out a skin cancer. More information.