Scared - just been diagnosed with skin cancer

I’ve just been diagnosed with skin cancer, wasn’t prepared for it to be honest, thought the dr would say it was just a cyst! 
I didn’t ask any questions, I’m on a waiting list now, don’t know how long the list is so in the meantime I’m stressing about this thing growing, it is slightly painful at times, any advice would be greatly appreciated! 
thanks in advance x

  • Hi Wraggy,

    We can't advise you without knowing which type of skin cancer you have been diagnosed with - melanoma, basal cell or squamous cell? They have different waiting times & different treatment types so it's important to know which one you are suffering from.

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

    • Hi I’ve got Basal cell, the dr did say she couldn’t say how deep it was and that it had been growing quite some time. 
  • Offline in reply to Wraggy

    Basal cell carcinomas are very slow growing and rarely grow deep enough below the skin to spread internally. Due to this, the wait for extra surgery (to ensure it's all been removed) takes longer than the wait for melanoma (which grows quicker, deeper & is at risk of spreading internally). I know that the average wait for secondary surgery for melanoma is currently 12 weeks from getting the results so you will unfortunately be waiting longer. 

    I suggest that you ring dermatology & ask them the current waiting time for your next appointment. Also tell them that you are happy to take a last minute cancellation should one come up (if you can drop everything within 12 to 24 hours). If it is painful because it doesn't look to be healing properly, tell them & they may call you in to take a look & hopefully bring your appointment forward.