Hi Kbull

Your experience is fairly typical. The NHS Dermatology departments are under great pressure from the huge volume of people presenting with BCC and SCC due to over exposure to UV sunlight.

It is correct that BCC does not spread (as in metastasise)  but the lesions do slowly increase in size over time. You are also likely to get further lesions as you will have other areas of sun damaged skin. It is really important to protect your skin with suncream clothing and a hat if you dont already do so all year round. I also wear a hat all the time not just to protect my skin as I have some really awful scars from multiple previous surgeries which attract unwanted attention. I now have metastatic advanced SCC which has spread to my bones.

As the lesion is now bleeding, if you can afford private treatment get it done. Depending on where you live its about £1500 often with the option of paying over 6 to 12 months at 0% interest.

Ed

As said it's pretty typical, I am back g my 5th BCC removed next month after found a scrape in March.  Having chemo treatment on an ACC now as well then a wait for Mohs opp and skin graft.  Hope you're goes straightforward for you. 

Hello, and thank you for posting.

I'm sorry that you're struggling with your BCC I am glad you have had support from fellow forum users.

It is difficult for me to comment on what has been said to you previously by your doctor; however, I can say that it is very unusual for BCC to spread from its original site.

Unfortunately, waiting times are difficult at the moment in dermatology departments, I do hope you get seen soon.

Do read the British Association of Dermatology information on BCC if helpful.

Take care, and if you want to talk to the nurses on the helpline call 0808 800 4040. Lines are open mon-fri, 9-5.

Sarah.

Hi Sarah

Thanks for your response. Sadly I have had a lifetime of unusual medical happenings.

I do not think the problem lies particularly with dermatology departments (although in my case they did fail me), but rather

the huge backlog in follow up treatment with plastic surgery. Dermatology does not accept any responsibility for this.

One of my concerns is I still only have verbal "you are on the waiting list". In an effort to get more details I downloaded the NHS app

but this does not confirm that I am.

In my area waiting lists are still increasing as confirmed by the latest data and I do not have the option of paying for private treatment.

so I guess like many others I am between a rock and a hard place.

Kind Regards