I had one removed on my shoulder last year, however, it started growing back as soon as it had healed - I don't mind because they did a biopsy on the part they removed and it was fine, and it's now flat at least, not raised and bumpy like before, but they are keeping an eye on it, and said I could have it done again if needed.
When I first saw my gp about getting the mole removed, she said it was 'cosmetic' and they wouldn't fund it, and advised me to get it done privately... I researched this a little, lots of private clinics laser them off, but, if there is any chance of malignancy this is not the best option apparently, and they don't send the removed tissue off for biopsy, which was a worry for me, as mine had changed quite a lot.
I spoke to the practice nurse about it when I went for a smear and she advised me to see the other gp at the practice who was more than willing to refer me to dermatology at the local hospital, they saw me within 2 weeks, and agreed it needed to come off, and that the tissue should be tested... it worries me that skin cancer may potentially be missed if people end up going down the cosmetic, rather than medical route with mole removal.