Appointment following biopsy

Hi, 

I had a biopsy done on my cheek in the middle of August and was told the results would take 6-8 weeks.

The consultant told me something along the lines of you might get a letter with the results or, if needed, an appointment to come in.

Today I got a letter to come in in 16 days and I'm now panicking a bit about what this means. Has anyone had any success at getting answers from GP or Dermatology by phone first?

In other news it took me about a year and a half to get it seen by dermatology and 3 appointments to my GP who ept saying it was fine and new moles appear and turning down my request or referral. Eventually I got a different nurse who said she wouldn't be worried but would refer it to put my mind at rest and emailed over some pictures. Next thing, apppointment and biopsy so trust your judgements and I can't help wondering what difference being listened to in the first time I went during the first lockdown might have made if it's positive. 

The waiting is awful isn't it?

 

  • Hello BlueyBingo

    I'm sorry to hear that you're waiting on biopsy results at the moment. Waiting for news can definitely be difficult and it's natural to be feeling anxious about things. 

    We know that many people find it helpful to talk to someone about how they're feeling. I'm wondering if you might find it useful to chat with one of our team of nurses ahead of your appointment. I'm sure they will be happy to talk things through with you and offer any advice and support that they can along with helping you think about some questions that you may want to ask when you see the specialist. If you'd like to chat with them they're available Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm on 0808 800 4040 (excluding bank holidays). 

    Do let us know how you get on at your appointment. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

  • Thanks Jenn,

    That's great and I'll give them a call when I've had time to think a bit about it. I have an unrelated call with a GP this afternoon so will see if they can see anything on my notes. Whether they'll tell me before the appointment is another thing, I know.

    Really lovely that you have that service and if nothing else, I'm a student nurse so it will help my empathy for people waiting for results :)

  • Hi,

    I've mentioned on your comment on another post that face to face appointments don't always mean bad news. Some consultants prefer to give good or bad news personally so you won't know until you get there.

    Your GP may not yet have received an update from your biopsy but if they have, and it's positive for skin cancer, they may not be able to explain the results in full detail. This is because, unless a GP specialises in dermatology, they have little knowledge of the terminology of the results. I've heard of two melanoma patients who asked their GP for results prior to their consultant's appointment and the GP has either given them wrong information or not understood the terminology and this has left the patients worrying more. So please be aware of this if asking your GP for an update.

    Good luck with your results and please let us know how you get on.

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

     

  • Hey Mika, 

    I noticed you were hoping to get an update from BlueyBingo so I just thought I'd let you know that they haven't been on the forum in a while and as this discussion was last active 10 months ago, there's a chance you may not hear back.

    I really hope that won't be the case but if you don't receive a reply you're very welcome to start your own discussion or reach out to others on more active and recent discussions you find about this on the forum.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator