BCC

I saw a private dermatologist back in March this year after my nhs appointment was cancelled without any notification, I had waited 10 months for that appointment and pushed for a dermatologist appointment after I was told the lesion on my leg was nothing.

The private dermatologist diagnosed a possible BCC and for it to be removed by excision. I went back to the nhs for another referral and I have been told it will be March next year before I get an appointment, so in total from it being miss diagnosed to March 22 I will have had it for about 6 years.

It has stated to look very red and sore lately and has gotten slightly bigger. I am worried sick as it will be two years of waiting to see a dermatologist on the nhs by next March, it's causing me a lot of anxiety.

Any advice would be much appreciated. 

  • Hello and thanks for your post

    I appreciate waiting any length of time to be treated is very stressful. Basal cell carcinomas (BCC) are the most common type of skin cancer that typically grow very slowly and rarely spreads, and are not classed as serious. Treatment to remove a BCC isn't regarded as urgent and people often have to wait a long time for treatment. You can read more about this by clicking here

    In the meantime, all I can really suggest is that discuss your concerns about your BCC getting bigger through with your GP. Hopefully, they will be able to find out from the hospital if you can be seen any sooner than March next year.

    Best wishes,

    Celene

  • Hello Celene thank you for your reply.

    I do understand about how a BCC is regarded as none urgent, but to have it for so many years is a constant worry as to whether it is typically growing slowly.

    I have called the hospital myself and I have been told its more of a 60 week wait, so that on top of the 10 months I have already waited, just adds to my concerns. 

    Unfortunately my surgery have told me that I have to call the hospital myself, that was the message I got back when I asked for help when the BCC changed again.

    Thank you again for your reply.