4cm square so painful head throbbing went to doctor on 6th Aug appointment with dermatology consultant on 14th September then appt with plastic surgeon a week later op on Nov 6 . I’m a type 1 diabetic and have a kidney transplant limited to what pain killers I can take just want to cry all day I’m not sleeping or eating properly and worried sick I also have a BCC on lip and forehead so having a general anaesthetic as considered high risk . I’m worried it may of spread else where
Hello Cathy P25,
Thanks for contacting us. I’m Gail, one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.
It sounds as if you are going through many emotions at the moment, which is not unusual when you are trying to process all the information you’ve been given over the last few weeks. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer in the UK and squamous cell (SCC) the second and they are known as non-melanoma type skin cancers. Most BCCs are slow growing, low risk cancers which do not often spread to other parts of the body. SCCs are also low risk but your medical team will arrange appropriate investigations to check if it has spread if they are concerned.
However, your consultant is aware of your personal risk, due to having had a kidney transplant, and has suggested surgery under anaesthetic because of this. It enables him/her to take away the BCC with a good margin of unaffected skin around it, to make sure it is all removed. Examination by the pathologist will check this. Your results will be discussed by the multidisciplinary team to decide the best treatment plan and follow up for you.
Whilst you are waiting for surgery it will be useful to contact your GP for advice on appropriate pain relief, sleeplessness and low mood.
I hope this information is useful. You can also contact the Macmillan Support Line 0808 808 0000 (7 day a week, 8am - 8pm) if you would like to speak to us.
Best wishes,
Gail
Cancer Information Nurse Specialist.
Ref; GH/KS
