Hi hazel

Basal cell skin cancers are very slow growing and seldom spread. The wait time for surgery at our local NHS can be 6 to 10 months. Even going private can be over 4 months. A simple excision costs around £1600 in my location. Much more if skin graft is involved or complicated aftercare. 

You are at increased risk of getting more of these BCC as you likely to have other areas of sun damaged skin. So protect your skin hats clothing factor 50 suncream everyday on exposed skin avoid midday sun and do not sunbathe. Wishing you a good outcpme with your treatment.

Ed

Hello Ed, 

Thank you so much for replying, and for your encouragement. 

My anxiety about waiting, links to my PTSD from years ago, and unfortunately it's not yet something I'm ble to manage. Im trying to tell myself that waiting longer could mean it's not urgent but it doesn't always work.

I'm trying to locate a clinic in Reading but even getting a reply seems to take a long time.

Ed, we're you diagnosed with Skin Cancer and,  if you don't mind, could you share your experience with me  please?

Hi again Hazel

Yes I was diagnosed with a BCC 30 odd years ago and several more since. All the BCCs were successfully removed with minor surgery under local anaesthetic none spread. you can ask for a sedative if you are really anxious. The subsequent BCCs were not from the original but because I have extensive sun damage to skin all over my body from living in tropical countries as a child and adult. If you look after your skin you may not get any more.

Sadly I have since had a more serious skin cancer which has metastasised. But you are very unlikely to get this if you are looking after your skin.

Ed

Hi again Hazel

Yes I was diagnosed with a BCC 30 odd years ago and several more since. All the BCCs were successfully removed with minor surgery under local anaesthetic none spread. you can ask for a sedative if you are really anxious. The subsequent BCCs were not from the original but because I have extensive sun damage to skin all over my body from living in tropical countries as a child and adult. If you look after your skin you may not get any more.

Sadly I have since had a more serious skin cancer which has metastasised. But you are very unlikely to get this if you are looking after your skin.

Ed

Oh Ed, I'm so sorry to hear of your more recent diagnosis. What have they diagnosed?

 I must say, that with you having surgery 30 years ago for BCC, it does give me hope that mine hasn't spread. I remember as a child, over 60 years ago, going on holiday with a school friend and getting sun burned so badly, I blistered and had hallucinations. Years ago, it wasn't really publicised that blue eyed, blonde and fair skin was looking for issues later in life. 

I've researched a lot about sun cream and it's not good and the toxicity can cause issues too. I'm now researching organic prevention. The suns rays seems stronger too.

I hope they can help you with your current situation. There seems to be so many more options these days.