Dr Ravi Ratnavel 2020-06-25 Person 5 5 0

As my husband has been a patient of Dr Ratnavel for many years due to various skin issues resulting from sun damage, all of which have been treated extremely successfully, I was very happy to be referred to him for a tiny, but rather unsightly, facial wart which he advised he could remove very easily. As per protocol, he then examined the rest of me but immediately focused on a large mole on my arm which had a small “freckle” at its centre. I should say here that because my brother had died, aged 37, from malignant melanoma in a mole just five months after he was diagnosed, I was extremely aware of the potential dangers of moles that change in appearance, therefore I had already consulted my GP about it when it first appeared approximately three years before my appointment with Dr Ratnavel. At that time, my GP looked at it, smiled, and said it was harmless – just a freckle – so my mind was completely set at rest. I mentioned all of this to Dr Ratnavel but he continued to inspect the mole, clearly unhappy, and said that bearing in mind my family history, he firmly recommended that he remove the “freckle” and it be sent away for analysis which was duly carried out seven days later. I really did think nothing more about it until ten days later when Dr Ratnavel telephoned me to advise that the histology report had confirmed that the “freckle” was an early melanoma, and he firmly recommended the removal of the entire mole. To say that I was shocked would be an understatement and as the memories of my brother’s suffering for the five months before he died all came flooding back, I was hugely relieved when Dr Ratnavel quickly booked me in for the procedure which was carried out with the minimum of fuss (it was a large mole), discomfort and scarring. Ten days later, Mr Ratnavel again telephoned me but this time with the happy news that the histology report had confirmed it was all clear, therefore any future risk that I might have with it was now completely gone. I cannot describe my relief when I learned this. As I have written, I had initially consulted Dr Ratnavel over something as trivial as a tiny wart on my face but if it hadn’t been for his diligence in spotting the “freckle” in my mole – which my GP had originally declared harmless three years before! - and his caring concern for me due to my family history, there might have been a different outcome altogether. I firmly believe he saved my life. Since that time, thirteen years ago, I have had a few other thankfully very minor skin issues but each time Dr Ratnavel has been knowledgeable, reassuring, diligent, and extremely caring, and I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone who has skin concerns – even a tiny wart! - as they will be in very, very safe hands.