Basal Cell Carcinoma

Hi, this is my first post.  I saw a GP back in May 2019 and I showed her a lump on my hairline, which I had caught when hair styling and made it bleed.  She said she would refer me to dermo and I would get a dermo appointment 'one day'.  Therefore I had little cause for concern. 

Fast forward to October 2020, I have not been seen by the hospital and now all dermo treatments have been suspended due to Covid.   I feel the lump has grown larger but because of Covid I haven't chased the GP until today.  I had a video consultation with a different GP and she thinks it is BCC.  Obviously now I am really worried that it may have spread.  I often get one sided headaches and migraine (that side) and I'm scared now that this BCC may have spread to my bones somehow.  Has anyone else had a BCC on their forehead/hairline?

  • Hi Mac 

    Thanks so much for your reassuring words - have certainly helped.

    I will definitely keep a close eye on my skin - particularly my nose - and if anything comes up I will go private for ease of mind.
     

    Plus as I've been told before any skin damage has been done 20/30 years ago so a few more months isn't going to hurt.

    have a lovely weekend and once again many thanks x

     

  • Thanks very much for your kind reply; I'm glad that the help you've received from all round has eased your mind somewhat, and I feel sure that in 6 months or so - hopefully much less - we'll both be wondering why we were concerned.

    Keep in touch and let me know the outcome and I'll do the same from this end.

    Mac xx

  • Will do Mac

    Got my fingers (and toes) crossed for us both and for everyone out there going through the same worry and uncertainty.

    Take care x

     

  • Thanks again.

    I don't know if you're a reader or have a Kindle, but you can Google me on Amazon if you like.. A couple of (somewhat irreverent) dark comedies and two thrillers (hopefully)

    Watch how you go. xx

     

     

  • No end to your talent eh?  I'll certainly take a look xx

  • Hi

    Hope you don't mind me getting in touch.

    I've recently been referred to dermatology clinic at my local hospital. Been chasing the referral for weeks so visited GP today to chase up and she confirmed it was actually the bcc clinic and what I have (2 spots on my nose and under my eye) both look like bcc. She didn't seem concerned at all and said I could be waiting for over 12 months for a referral. 

    I'm so anxious and thinking the worst as I've had these spots for over 2 years and was told by another GP 2 years ago that it was nothing to worry about. 

    How did you get on? Did you go for a private consultation? 

    Thanks 

  • Dear jojo99

    Of course I don't mind you contacting me - I know exactly how you are feeling!

    I contacted a private consultant who, as you found, didn't seem too bothered either.  I was advised to leave it a couple of months and if it was still there he would remove it.  Like you I am concerned about waiting and also the fact the spot has now come up three times over the course of a year, plus I now have another one exactly where my glasses sit.  I try not to worry but googling has really not helped.

    I will leave it another month but regardless of whether it's there or not I will be booking an appointment - I need to for my sanity! 

    Always here if you want to chat/vent xx

  • Dear Treacle20

     

    Thanks so much for replying. I've spent all last night and this morning googling which has unsettled me even more.

    I'm going to go back to GP again next week with more questions and if I'm still not happy with waiting,  I may have to book private consultation just to put my mind at rest (or not depending on what I'm told) I'm aware I'll still have to wait for nhs appointment after a private consultation but feel as though I need an expert to have a proper look to advise on the next steps.

    Keep me informed on how you get on. Will you go back to your GP or book another private appointment?

    Here for you too x

    Jo

  • Hi Jo

    I will go for a private consultation as my nerves can't take waiting to see my GP and then waiting for a referral letter and then waiting for an appointment.  I begrudge having to pay but unfortunately this is what it's come down to with NHS waiting lists.  
     

    Try to stop googling but I know that's easier said than done - will let you know as soon as I know for sure xxx

  • Hi guys, this morning I was diagnosed as having BCC Skin Cancer, Yikkes. (That scab on my nise you may have noticed @Dornansog @JoaquinErnesto)

    My Mum had Rectal Cancer and my Dad recently had treatment for Prostrate Cancer, we have always said if we had a choice of which cancer we get it would always be skin cancer (not melanoma obv)

    Back Story:-

    Around 3 years ago I went to the GP as I had a tiny sore which my glasses had caused, she said she could see no changes in the skin but said I had done the right thing by getting it checked.

    Move forward 2 years and this sore has not only not healed but got bigger (picking it, catching it with glasses or towels not helped) , sent a picture to GP (dermo specialist) who said it was nothing to worry about but will still refer me (on referal he put BCC which confused me because of what he had previously said).

    Move forward to Jan this year (still not been seen from referal) I sent another pic to a different GP who too was not concerned as it actually looked smaller than before but would still chase up my referal.

    Yesterday had a phone call to say a surgery had been opened up and could I attend. Went there kind of expecting to be discharged with a sore but he said straight away I have skin cancer (BCC) and I am booked in to have it removed on he 17th. I asked the obvious question of "am I going to die?" he shook his head but with my anxiety that was not good enough and told him he had to look me in the eye, fair play to him he moved his chair sat infront of me smiled and said I am going to be ok.

    Cut the cancer out, take skin from my neck to replace the skin thats gone (all in 20 mins ), will take 2 weeks to heel and jobs a good un ( I hope).

    Been reading up on this guy (plastic surgeon) and cannot see a bad word said about him.

    So basically has anyone else been through this? Looking for reassurance tbh.