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Is it safe to wait 3 1/2 weeks for an appt after spotting a potential nodular melanoma?

cmarina
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Hi, I was diagnosed with and treated for a basal cell carcinoma last year, which I'm aware means I'm now at higher risk for other skin cancers. 5 days ago I spotted a new growth on my calf - it's a tiny raised shiny black papule. It's about 1mm but it does look to me like it's grown slightly since I first saw it. I've never seen anything like this on my skin before. It's the black colour that concerns me the most. Having done a bit of research it sounds like it could be a nodular melanoma, or if benign, potentially a thrombosed cherry angioma or blood blister. It's possible it could be a black basal cell carcinoma but it doesn't look too typical for that. Doctors don't tend to take me seriously because I'm young (31), but I have a bunch of disabling chronic health conditions and my immune system is very clearly suppressed even though they don't seem to recognise it as such.

I happen to have a follow-up appt with my NHS dermatologist for mid-September, about 3 1/2 weeks since I first saw the growth. (I can't imagine it was there much longer before I saw it as it's in a spot I see daily and I pay close attention to my skin). Research tells me that nodular melanoma can spread very fast (weeks to months) so, on the off chance it is that, I'm concerned this could be too long a wait. I have called the derm's office & they've said there's no way they can see me earlier. They also said it's unlikely they'd do a biopsy on the day of the appt, which means I'd have to wait even longer to get it removed.

For my BCC I went private (I'd already had it 2 years and they said it'd be a 1 year wait on the NHS so I was concerned), so that is an option, but I don't know whether I should go in that direction. It would cost me a lot of money, and I would still need to go to my NHS appt as I want to keep those lines open - I have severe chronic fatigue so going to multiple appts like this takes a toll on my physical condition. I know it's more likely to be benign and I don't know if I'd be being crazy to spend £250 to get this checked out just a week or so sooner than I would on the NHS. It's just that I have no idea based on looking at the growth myself, I don't know how likely it is to be nodular melanoma, and I'm scared that if I wait to go to the NHS appt it'll spread and be a death sentence. I suppose for the average 31yo who'd had BCC. they could probably still feel confident that ND was unlikely, but i've been dealing with so much illness after the past 4 years I don't have much trust in my body to act as a normal 31yo's would anymore. 

I've been trying for days to find out if 3 1/2 weeks is a reasonable time to wait and haven't gotten any answers. Does anyone have any advice?

  • I'm sorry to hear about the new growth you've spotted on your calf and your concerns about having to wait so long to be seen cmarina.

    Unfortunately I can't advise on this, but we do have a very helpful and insightful team of cancer nurses you can discuss this with on 0808 800 4040. They'll be available from Tuesday onwards between 9a.m - 5p.m so do give them a call if you'd like to talk things through with them.

    Hopefully some of our members who have found themselves in a similar position will share their experiences and advice with you soon but in the meantime, we're thinking of you cmarina and will have our fingers crossed that this growth is no cause for concern.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

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    Hi,

    The best thing to do is to phone your cancer nurse (if you have one) or your dermatologist's secretary. Explain the situation & ask if there is a possibility that your appointment can be brought forward. They may be able to slip you in a week or two earlier. Nodular melanoma is more aggressive than superficial spreading melanoma (the most common type), however it's rare that it would spread within 3 weeks. If you saw your GP and got referred again it would take longer than 3 weeks to be seen anyway (2 week referrals are now taking an average of 4 weeks, including private referrals, unfortunately).

    There is a very good chance it's not nodular melanoma but it's good that you've found it quickly & are getting it checked out - if it turns out to be melanoma it will be caught at an early stage. Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Steph

    Thank you, Steph. I didn't know about the cancer nurses so it's good to know they're available to call if needed

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Thank you Angie, unfortunately I don't really have access to either. I was treated for my BCC privately and when I was referred back to the NHS I was never put in touch with a cancer nurse, and I can't find a number for my dermatologist's secretary anywhere. I have called the receptionist at the dermatology department but they said they can't see me sooner unless there's any cancellations. In the end I decided to try and find an appt privately - it's alarming to see that most private derms are booked up for months in advance, but by checking availability on many different ones every day I was eventually able to get a cancellation for this Friday! I will still be going to my NHS appt in mid-September so when I'm there I'll ask about a cancer nurse and/or secretary - it really feels like I've been left totally in the dark with no support around this which doesn't seem right. It would be helpful to have a contact so I can get in touch easier when I notice things. 

    Thank you for your reassurance too, that's really helpful to hear.

    I wanted to ask if you have any advice regarding the appt? I know I'm not going to feel comfortable unless I can get a biopsy of this growth done, and I'm worried the doctor will be resistant to doing so if they don't see anything alarming on dermascopy. I wouldn't feel reassured by that bc a) my last doctor was 'very confident' my BCC wasn't cancer based on dermascopy, even though just to the naked eye it looked very clearly exactly like most images of a BCC online (I could tell he was very biased by my age and that was the main influence there), and b) my understanding is that nodular melanomas are more likely to be missed on dermascopy as they have less distinctive features. I often freeze and fumble when talking to doctors so if you have any advice as to talking points I could bring up/ways I could convince them to do a biopsy I would really appreciate it.

    Thanks x

  • Offline in reply to cmarina

    I suggest you take someone with you who can prompt you to ask the question if you freeze. Now you have a history of skin cancer I would expect a dermatologist to be more proactive so don't be afraid to push for it to be removed. Make it clear that it's affecting your mental health as you already have other chronic health problems to deal with. Even if they think it's most likely benign they usually remove the 'offender' if only for the patient's mental health. Be polite & firm!

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