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Long waiting time worries

username5768
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My mother was told she has skin cancer, at the start of October,

background: she had breast cancer before I was born (I'm 15.) and got a reconstruction earlier this year.

She went in for a checkup after and mentioned the spot to her doctor; he put her onto his waiting list but I feel like it's taking too long- isn't it better to be treated sooner? wouldn't it spread without treatment? is she going to die because of a waiting list taking too long??

I feel like nobody is acknowledging this is happening, my mom, siblings, even the doctor.

I know the survival rate for skin cancer is supposedly  high and I probably shouldn't be stressing so much; but I don't trust that the doctor would do everything he can to help her, because it seems to be taking so long.

But I don't really know how long anything like this takes or what the waiting list is for (treatment? diagnosis?), she won't talk about it.

I'm really worried and there's nobody I can talk to about this whole thing, I don't want to lose her.

sorry if this is posted in the wrong place or anything.

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    Hi,

    I can understand your worry at the time it's taking. Do you know what type of skin cancer the GP is thinking it might be? Where is the 'spot' and when did it appear? What does it look like? Is the waiting list for the hospital or for the GP to remove or treat the spot? I ask all these questions because it depends on what the GP thinks it is as to how fast it should be seen & treated. If the GP thinks it's a Basal cell carcinoma or Squamous cell carcinoma these can be treated a lot easier, they aren't life threatening and don't spread internally so a short wait for treatment won't affect the outcome. If the GP thinks it may be melanoma then your mum should be referred to dermatology for it to be checked under the 2 week referral route. If the dermatologist thinks it needs a biopsy it would then be removed &, if the results showed melanoma, it would be treated quickly.

    If you can answer my questions and add any further information you have it will give us a clearer picture as to whether your mum needs to be dealt with quicker.

    Angie (melanoma patient)

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Hi Angie,

    Thank you for the reply,

    I don't know which type the doctor is suspecting,

    the spot is on her shoulder & I'm not certain when it appeared, but I think it was around 2 years ago.

    It looks like a freckle/mole that has a scab over it? Judging by google images, I think it's a basal cell carcinoma; though I see that you've mentioned that type isn't life threatening which is a relief.

    I believe the wait is for the oncologist to remove it, but there's still no date set for the appointment. 

    I'm (a little) less worried about it now though, thank you :)

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