Feeling so worried and anxious

Hi Gio123 and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

Being told that you might have a type of skin cancer is scary and it's natural to be anxious and worried. However, as your anxiety is causing you to have trouble sleeping and eating it's good that you're seeing your GP this week so that they can arrange help for you. In the meantime you might want to take a look at this information from Macmillan.

You are right that a BCC (basal cell carcinoma) is the most common form of skin cancer in the UK but that it rarely spreads, is hardly ever life threatening and can usually be dealt with by simple surgery. This information about it from Macmillan explains what it is and how it's treated.

As you've discovered, Google is not your friend right now. You'll always find the scariest stories online as no one's interested in reading about the hundreds of BCCs that are successfully removed each year. If you want to know anything about BCCs and their treatment you're far better asking this community as it's full of people who have had one and have had first hand experience.

Unfortunately, you are right that if this 'mark' does turn out to be a BCC you are more at risk of getting more in future. The dermatologist you're seeing this week will probably advise you to:

1. Stay out of the sun during the strongest time of the day (11am to 3pm) between April and October inclusive in the UK and in all months of the year in any other part of the world
2. When going outside wear long sleeved tops and trousers/skirts made from natural fibres like cotton
3. Wear a broad brimmed hat (brim should be at least 3 inches) and sun glasses
4. Sit in the shade and never sunbathe 
5. Any part of your body that is not covered, ie. face, neck, back of hands should have a sun protection cream of SPF 50 that is effective against both UVA and UVB rays
6. Re-apply the sunscreen as directed on the bottle
7. Never use sunbeds
8. Don't use sunscreen instead of covering up

Do come back and let me know how you get on when you see the GP and dermatologist this week and remember, worrying won't change the outcome but will ruin the present.

((hugs))

Thanks for the message latchbrook, I really appreciate it.

As well as the obvious shock of being finding out that it is likely BCC, it’s probably the way it was handled by the GP. She certainly wasn’t clear that BCC is a form of skin cancer and finding that out from Google has really hit me bad. 

I can only think the GP wasn’t concerned by what she saw so didn’t want to worry me too much but surely she would have known I would look it up myself.

Fingers crossed I get a clearer picture of what it is this week and I’ll be sure to update on here.

thanks again

Hi Gio123   I have had 2 basal cell skin cancers removed from my face last year, one by my nose with skin flap and the other near my tear duct by skin graft.  Yes they are horrid little beasties, but not normally life changing and can be cured.  My gp did send me on the 2 week cancer pathway but I had then done privately as they needed a plastic surgeon to deal with them.  Not a very nice experience but a year on the scars are barely visible but it has left me traumatised that I may get more, which is likely once you have had one.  I really dont think gp's are very good at dealing with these and tend to make them sound nothing really when in fact they are quite nasty.  Mine were dealt with quickly and expertly but 50 stitches in one and about 35 in the other not what I consider nothing to worry about  When I was first diagnosed I couldnt sleep was very anxious as the word cancer was mentioned.  Sometimes these things can be treated with cream but unfortunately mine were too advanced for this.  Please keep in touch this site is brilliant and always someone to talk you through their experience and offer advice. Just be careful in the sun factor 50 all the time and floppy hats etc and I am sure you will be fine.  Good luck and hope to hear from you again xx

Hi gio123

BCC stands for basal cell carcinoma which is a cancer of the skin which is common and usually easily treated.

I had a basal cell on my nose which was removed last year. To say I was terrified is an understatement but the surgeon was lovely and my nose has now healed up well.

Along with others on this forum my experience has been that GPs are not experienced when it comes to skin cancers and you really do need the expertise of a dermatologist. 

It's perfectly normal to be worried so please keep in touch with us and hopefully we'll be able to help you through this. Also, feel free to ask us anything.

Just a quick update, the dermatologist took one look at and said it’s not a BCC. It’s Solar Lentigo which is harmless.

it’s a massive relief anyway, thanks again for the advice

That's great news Gio123 !

Brilliant news and glad we were able to help xx

Great news

Please do not worry, BCC is a cancer but it is one that is easily and effectively treated. Just make sure you check regulary for any abnormalities on your skin. Good luck and hope all goes well for you