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Diagnosed today with Basal Cell Carcinoma on the nose and feeling worried.

lou-77
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I’ve gone and done what we would tell any friend not to do and that’s consult doctor Google. When you get a diagnosis, you want to find answers to your queries but it really hasn’t helped my nerves. I have a follow up appointment next week where the doctor will be discussing treatment. 
I feel like my worry has been split in 2. There is the C word no one wants to hear and then I’m equally worried about what treatment I will need. I know it’s incredibly vain of me but I’m worried about how I’m going to look once they’ve cut it out. You can’t hide you nose! 

  • Offline in reply to lou-77

    Hi Lou, I’m impressed that the conversation actually covered different options. I didn’t really get that from my NHS appointments. Try not to worry too much, because your NHS people sound like they’re on top of things. 

    Did your dermatologist say how long you might have to wait to see the MOHs specialist?

    My private appointment is on Monday, I need to make a definitive list of questions, argh.

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    I had basal cell removed from my nose a year ago. The surgeon went in three times, and the Moh’s surgery took about 6 hours for my nose. I have a big scar that is fading but I can hide it with make up and you can’t tell at all if I wear glasses. It’s hard when it’s your face- I’ve had a lot of skin cancer and hopefully won’t get anymore on my face. I would do the Moh’s surgery if you can and then you will know they got it all. I wore scar pads for about 6 months after the stitches were out and skin healed. My scar is down my entire nose and zig-zags to the side. Hopefully you will have a small scar. Good Luck!

  • Offline in reply to Elizabeth30

    Thank you for sharing your story  , it’s reassuring to hear about good outcomes. The NHS plastic surgeon I saw said statistically Mohs would lessen the chances of missing some cancer cells by about 2%. When it’s on your face that seems worth it, to me anyway. (Mine is on and under my eyebrow though I also have a small bump on my cheek they’re looking at). But she was suggesting I accept the basic excision surgery because it’s got a much shorter waiting list. I supposedly will get a referral to the NHS Mohs expert for a consult but no telling how long that will take to come through. And no telling if he’d then accept me for surgery. The worry is whether the bcc is spreading in the meantime.

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