Hi, 

sorry about your news, I feel your fear.

In 2016 I was referred to dermatologist for rosecea and skin flare ups on my face, during the appointment the consultant began questioning a pink mark on the side of my ahead/hairline and requested a biopsy. I wasn't even visiting to discuss this and had, had it since birth so I was really shocked. 
 

I was given a small biopsy, and told I would. Be contacted in 7 days with the results. A few days later I contacted my GP and asked were the results back- he said yes you have BCC and need further testing, I started to cry and he told me to stop being silly! It was as though I'd broken a nail. About a week later  I had the area numbed with local aniststetic and the whole mark was removed, they left the wound open and asked me to wait in the waiting room whilst it was tested there and then, they didn't close it until they were sure they had taken enough or incase it was C and it was deeper. Anyways it felt like a life time but all on the same days it was BCC not malignant. They used some sort of skin graft dressings that over time blended into my skin. Now you can barely tell unless I point it out. 
 

Out the whole process for me, the waiting was the worst part... good luck x

Hi,

I know how worrying this will be but please be assured that BCCs rarely grow beneath the skin's surface and that's why clinicians don't treat them as urgently as melanoma. If left over a long period they can grow larger on the surface of the skin and look unsightly but they are not usually invasive. 

Unfortunately you will be waiting a few months for a dermatology appointment due to Covid backlog. Pre Covid an appointment would usually take about 6 weeks but now it's many more. The only way you can foreshorten the wait is to pay privately for a referral appointment but it will still take a few weeks. If you do this and they suggest it's removal for biopsy, you can ask to be transferred back under the care of the NHS (if you can't afford further private care). 

My dad has had 2 BCC removed from his face (one had been there for a few years). That was 10 years ago and he's been fine. My sister-in-law also had one removed from her back 4 years ago without any further problems.

Try not to forward think it too much and be prepared for a wait. You can always contact dermatology once they've received the GP referral and say you are happy to take a last minute cancellation if one becomes available then you won't be waiting as long. 

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

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Thank you so much for replying, and glad to hear that your bcc was treated quickly and successfully. Waiting is horrendous isn't it because you just picture worst case scenarios, so hopefully I will get a referral quickly!

So frustrating to hear about the response from your GP though. This must be such an insignificant issue to them, but to not consider how their patient feels receiving this news is just awful.

Can I ask how long the area took to heal after the additional removal?

Yes the wait is the worst but honestly - I'm the biggest drama queen with needles, blood and hospitals in general but it was over before I knew it and not half as bad as I'd imagined. 
 

At first I cried a lot being in my early 30s and it being my face (vein but honest) I felt hideous,that was my own thoughts, in all honesty what I went through was extremely minor compared to others and worth it a million times over to reduce the risk of melanoma.

Because mine was situated above the temple I couldn't have stitches as it would have made my face misshaped/lop sided   the healing process I hated because it would weep down my face (everyone has different experiences) this really got me down. Personally the emotional side was worse, I'd say the healing was 3-6 months, I was offered further plastic surgery if I wasn't happy with the end result but in all honesty I'm glad I was one of the fortunate ones, the C word itself put the fear of god in me. X

I just wanted to add an update in case anybody is reading this. I waited for a year to see a dermatologist and the mark is sebaceous hyperplasia and not bcc. I also have two additional ones on my hairline. So there was thankfully nothing to be done treatment wise.