Hello Duchess1

Thank you for posting in our Ask the Nurses topic area. The nurse team are out of office for the festive period.

The office reopens on Wednesday 28^th to 30th Dec 9am to 5pm. Then closed 5pm 30th Dec, back on 3rd Jan 2023 to 6th Jan, as normal 9am to 5pm.

They will reply as soon as they can but you’re also welcome to contact them on 0808 800 4040 during opening hours.

Best wishes,
Jenn
Cancer Chat moderator

Thank you.

Hi Duchess,

I'm not a nurse but I have been a melanoma patient for many years and I didn't want to pass by whilst you wait for the nurses to return after Christmas.

Firstly, the doctor was correct that once diagnosed with a skin cancer there is more chance of getting another one because the majority of all types of skin cancer are caused by UV damage. I know several patients, including myself, who have being diagnosed with BCC after getting melanoma.

I know that, having had melanoma, we all worry any new growths are also melanoma so I understand your concern. All you can do is voice your concern to the specialist nurse when they get back to you but that will now be after Christmas. Tell them you would be happy to take a short notice cancellation appointment if you are able, which may get it done a little quicker. However, please be aware that suspected melanoma removals are currently taking longer than usual - approx 4 weeks - so the difference in waiting time isn't as long as you would think.

I will send you a friend request - if you accept it we can chat by pm if it will help.

Good luck,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Thank you Angie it would be lovely to chat. I appreciate you getting back to me.

Hello Duchess1 and thanks for posting, 

I am glad to see that Angie has got in touch with you. I understand that waiting for appointments can be challenging, and it can be hard to trust doctors if you have had an experience of them changing their minds about something in the past.

Bear in mind that because BCCs are a slow growing sort of skin cancer that hardly ever spreads, they aren't treated with the same urgency as melanoma.

If you have a specialist skin cancer nurse, it might be an idea to talk to them and also to find out from the skin clinic if they can take your name to fill cancelled appointments at short notice. 

If you can't settle and shake off the worry, you could think about paying to go private to see a dermatologist if only for a clinical examination to get a second opinion about the diagnosis. This can be pricey but you should be able to get an estimate about the likely costs from a local private hospital. 

Give us a ring if you want to talk anything over, Our number is  Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday, we are closed on 2nd January. 

Wishing you the best, 

Julia