Hello I'm new to this group... just been diagnosed with BCC on the side of my nose....not a lump or spot..but a sore that wouldn't heal..just scabs up and then bleed again.
I was quite shocked with the diagnosis ...but was assured by my GP & Dermatologist that it is extremely slow growing,,,and not aggressive.
I have been recommended to have MOHs surgery....and have just received a letter from the NHS surgeon who will be doing the procedure. He says that it will be a 6 month + wait...and maybe longer if COVID is an issue again..
I considered going private...and spoke to my GP who said just to wait and save my money....but it seems a very long time to wait.....even if its slow growing....its the physological side of things
also how do I treat this sore area while i wait for treatment? do I just let it scab? then the scab comes away..and it bleeds again...should I keep it covered with a dressing or plaster?
any advice would be welcomed....
thank you
Hi and a very warm welcome to the online community
I'm sorry to read that you've just been diagnosed with a BCC and it's natural to wonder if you should speed things up by going privately.
I've just had a BCC removed from my chest but this was done by simple surgery rather than by Mohs' micrographic surgery. Mohs is usually recommended if the BCC is in a difficult to get at area or for a better cosmetic outcome. With you saying that your BCC is on the side of your nose I would think that both of these criteria fit.
If you take a look at the leaflet I've linked you to you'll see that it says that "Mohs’ procedure is performed by dermatologists or dermatological surgeons who are specially trained in Mohs’ micrographic surgery. This training is an additional 1-2 years over that required to become a consultant dermatologist" which probably explains why there are not many surgeons available and I know that the wait is usually lengthy.
I'm not aware of anyone in the group who has gone privately to have a Mohs procedure so can't link you to someone who might be able to tell you how much it will cost. In all likelihood it would be the same surgeon who's list you're on to have it done on the NHS who you would see privately. If you haven't done so already you could contact your local private hospitals to ask if they have a Mohs surgeon, how much it would cost and how long you'd have to wait.
If you're given a price it would be very interesting if you could share it with the group so that someone looking for the information in future might have a rough idea of how much it would cost.
Do come back and let us know how you get on
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hi
I am new to this group and I to have a bcc on the side of my nose and going to have to wait months before it happens. I was told to just not to put anything on it , I am lucky as mine is not sore but does look it at times .
I am 42 and feel very scared at the process of this and I think the wait makes me worse.
Good luck 
