Steps after biopsy result - BCC

Hello, 

I had a punch biopsy taken which showed I had Basal cell Carcinoma. I only found this out by chance by logging into the NHS app and noticing the result had been added to my profile. Later I rwcieved the write up letter to me personally which did not mention any result at all and just said I had been discharged from urgent pathway and would recieve a follow up I'm 'due course'. I finally got a appointment and it has come through as a 'general follow up' so have no idea what is happenening with this BCC remaining on me. 

Is this normal procedure? As when I have had mole biopsy before the results letter have confirmed result even if it is benign but I have had no such thing on this occasion? The whole experience has been sub par I had to go through PALS originally as I was given an 8 month wait for an urgent referral and the dermatology desk seemingly lied as to the reason citing a shortage of consultants, however after being bumped up and seeing  consultant I said this circumstance and he said it was not at all correct that there was a shortage of consultants. Very poor from NHS seems lime they don't care. 

Nothing has been explained to me really through the whole process. Despite explaining that I have underlying Anxiety conditions. 

  • Hi there and thank you for posting

    I am sorry to hear about your situation and appreciate how the lack of information has been unsettling for you.

    I'm not sure how much you already know about basal cell carcinoma (bcc) but we have more information on our website. Bcc's tend to be a slow growing type of skin cancer that rarely spreads or affects a person's life expectancy. because of this there isn't quite the same urgency to treat these and i'm afraid there are long waits to be seen and treated within dermatology units up and down the country.

    Bcc's are common and therefore at any one time there are so many people in the NHS system. Due to the great volume of patients needing be seen and treated has caused these delays for people.

    Understandably I appreciate how this can cause alot of anxiety for many patients and it is important for you to get a better understanding of the next steps from the hospital. Failing that speak with your GP and see if they can tell you any more and put your mind at ease.

    In the meantime if you notice any changes to the area of skin affected let your doctor so they can reassess you and if needed contact the dermatology department to review you sooner.

    I really hope you can speak to someone soon to get a better understanding of what this means for you and gain some reassurance about this.

    Take care

    Naomi