Hi - newly diagnosed with BCC on my nose and just been referred to plastic surgeon. I am grateful it's not melanoma, but still anxious as it's on my face. Any advice for coping with the anxiety/story sharing?
I haven't had BCC (I'm a melanoma patient) but both my dad & sister-in-law have had them removed from their face. My dad had one on his forehead which was surgically removed 15 years ago & it healed beautifully with very little sign of a scar. My sis-in-law had one removed from under her eye last year - that too has healed very well with very little sign of a scar.
Facial plastic surgeons are meticulous in their stitching. Regarding the nose, take a look at photos of Hugh Jackman - he's had several BCC removed from his nose over the years but it's not obvious on his photos.
The good thing is that, once removed it's been dealt with. But remember that, as BCC is caused by UV damage, the rest of your skin may have been damaged too so anyone diagnosed with any UV related skin cancer is prone to having at least one other in their lifetime. My dad had another on his face a few years ago - fortunately that was caught early & successfully treated with a chemo cream. My sis-in-law had had one removed from her back a few years ago, again successfully treated.
I hope others come along & share their personal experience with you. I hope you aren't waiting too long for the removal - waiting is the hardest part of this experience, believe me. Good luck,
Thank you so much for sharing your personal stories, Angie. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my post - you've made me feel better already! And I will look at Hugh Jackman, as you suggest.
Good luck with your own melanoma journey - I really hope you have successful treatment and a good outcome that sees you cancer-free after the 5 year marker, and on into the future beyond that.
Hi Mollifer, like you I am newly diagnosed with a BCC, mine is on the left side of my nose. I am seeing the surgeon on the 15th of this month when I will know more about the extent of surgery involved with this. I too am rather worried about how I will look afterwards. I am 78 but still do my hair and make up every day even if for only around the house.
I feel I could cope better if it were anywhere but my nose as its the first thing people notice about you. Do you feel this way as well? My Husband says he dosent care what I will look like as he will still love me as I am but feel thats not the point is it!
It is more to do with how we feel in ourselves when we look in the mirror. Wishing you well in your journey, lets hope in a years time we are wondering what on earth we were worring about.
Hi! So nice of you to reply! My appointment is on the 22nd, but only the first consultation with the plastic surgeon. Who is yours with? Apparently the dermatologists do these surgeries too.
My husband also says it won't make any difference either - but I agree, it's about how we feel about it!
Yes, I totally feel that if it were anywhere else other than on my nose, I wouldn't feel as worried about it. My best friend had one on her cheek, and it healed beautifully - you can honestly barely see the thin white line that is left.
Do let me know how your appointment goes on the 15th - good luck!xx
Hi, my appointment is with a private Dermatologist who does do his own surgery, but calls in a plastic surgeon if needed for large sites,which mineisn't.
His CV is rather impressive I have to say. He specialises in skin cancer and has an interest in treating older people!!!
We are very fortunate in that my Husband got Private Medical Insurance as part of his retirement package. Otherwise I hate to think about waiting on the NHS.
It's good to hear about your friend and her experience. I will let you know what happens on the15th. Take care.xx
Hi Mollifer, promised to let you know how I got on with my Dermatologist appointment. He confirmed the diagnosis and has referred me to a plastic surgeon as the BCC is on my nose and any scar will be visible. The surgeon he has referred me to does face lifts etc and has good feedback so I'm happy with that. Will keep you informed as I progress but am glad that I am going down the private path. Good luck for the 22nd, please let me know how you get on.
I'm happy to hear you're being referred to a plastic surgeon. I have read a lot about removing BCC's, and apparently the results are cosmetically much better (less visible!) if done by a plastic surgeon. I have been referred too, but it's on the NHS, so I don't know how to check the results of the plastic surgeon - but I will find out!! So many things I've read say how important it is to have confidence in your surgeon...
Keep me posted, and I'll let you know how I get on next Thurs xx
Hi there I just wanted to say that I have an appointment on the 20th with a plastic surgeon about a possible bcc on the bridge of my nose booked in for scoop biopsy and I’m 38years old and I too am really worried because it’s the middle Of my face. I’m in 2minds about gettign it done as I was told it was suspected !bbc by private through a photo and then was told it’s nothing by nhs lead consultant but he said to cover his back he’ll send me for a biopsy and I can cancel if I want . I’m hoping il Get a 3rd opinion while I’m there and leave with nothing so scared and anxious. Because it’s my nose
So sorry to hear about your worries - it is really because of where the suspected bcc is, isn't it? And of course, it's totally understandable, especially as you are so young.
If the lead consultant said he felt it was nothing but would send you for a biopsy just to cover himself, I feel you've probably got nothing to worry about and the biopsy will show that. My consultant said straight away she knew it was a bcc, but would send me for a punch biopsy just to confirm her diagnosis. Predictably, she was right! I think a scope biopsy is less invasive than the punch biopsy, so you should be fine after that in terms of any tiny scar etc. And it's as well to know for sure whether it's a skin cancer or not, don't you think?
At least if the biopsy confirms the consultant's diagnosis, you will be done with the whole experience and that'll be that!
And if it is a bcc, you can deal with that IF it arises...not now, so take heart from what the consultant said, and do let me know how it goes for you on the 20th.
