Although diagnosed with a BCC on the cheek the results of the biopsy state it was a SCC which has been completely excised. The letter states the histology results will be discussed at the local Skin Cancer Meeting and I will be advised of the outcome in due course. Do I need to worry about this? How long should I wait? Getting to this stage has been a nightmare with GP zoom call that referred me for something else. The referral letter not being sent. Consequently the Dermatologist looked at the wrong lesion and was in no rush to see me. Only by good luck at someone cancelling their appointment did I get seen at least 4 weeks earlier. Then having to wait 8 weeks for the histology because the lab aren't sending the results through. I had come to a level of acceptance that it was a BCC. Finding it is a SCC has come as a shock and I feel I have gone back to square one. I like to cycle/run/walk. Now I'm scared to go out the front door.
Hi and a very warm welcome to the online community
I'm sorry to read that you've just been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) after thinking that you had a basal cell carcinoma (BCC). That's great to hear that it's been completely removed so hopefully the MDT (multidisciplinary team) meeting will conclude that you won't need any further treatment.
I can fully understand how you feel about going outside having myself had a melanoma diagnosis nearly 5 years ago.
The first summer after I was diagnosed I found myself crossing the street to walk in the shade but the following year vowed I was going to stop being quite so paranoid in the sun.
Unfortunately, if you've had any type of skin cancer you're more at risk of getting another if you don't protect your skin from the sun. This doesn't mean that you have to stop doing things you used to enjoy doing in the sun, unless that was sunbathing, but you need to change some things to protect yourself.
When I was diagnosed I was told the following was necessary to protect myself in the sun and thought that you might find it helpful:
The first summer after I was diagnosed was particularly hard as I used to enjoy sitting in the sun. However, I quickly got used to the new regime and have a selection of hats to choose from when I go out. I also decided that I now needed a whole new wardrobe so went on a shopping spree. So, every cloud has a silver lining!
I leave a hat permanently in the car so if I forget to take one with me I know I'll have one. Leaving a tube of sunscreen in the glove compartment is a good idea too.
A couple of years ago I went to Australia to visit my sister and I still went on the beach and swam in the sea. However, instead of sitting in the sun, I stayed in the shade and I only went in the sea for a short time. Ironically it's easier going on holiday somewhere like that because nearly everyone covers up as they're so aware of the damage the sun can do so I didn't feel a freak in long trousers and a hat!
My friends know that I need to sit in the shade so if we're going to be sitting outside we try to look for a table which means that I can sit in the shade while they can sit in the sun if they want to. If I'm with people who don't know why I need to be in the shade I don't necessarily tell them but will just say something along the lines of "I prefer to sit in the shade" or "it's too hot for me in the sun".
I hope that helps a little but if you want to ask anything else please do.
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
