Basal cell

Hello Snjshell,

Thanks for getting in touch. My name is Megan, I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.

I am sorry to hear that your skin cancer diagnosis, specifically Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), has caused you such distress. I appreciate that the C word does cause significant fear and worry for most people. For some it can even cause symptoms of anxiety.

As per our information in the skin cancer link above, I hope it is reassuring to know that almost all BCC’s grow slowly and never spread elsewhere in the body. Therefore, although it is a cancer it is almost always treatable with surgery to remove being all that is required.

This is likely the reason why the consultant was not worried, and I would encourage you to trust in their experience and judgement on this.

Sometimes the more knowledge we have about a subject can help to remove the fear and uncertainty we place upon it. The British Skin Foundation has further information on BCC with advice on self-care that I hope you will also find useful.  

Additionally, experience sharing can be a great source of comfort for some and so the skin cancer forum may be of interest to you.

If you continue to worry, it might help to get in touch with one of our nurses on the support line to talk about how you are feeling.

I hope this information is useful. Please don’t hesitate to get back in contact by email, webchat or phone, if you need further information or support.

The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm.

Best wishes, Megan

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

Ref MD/KHe