Waiting for diagnosis

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Hi there-first time here!

GP advised me (via text!) that I may have a BCC (on my face) and that I have an urgent referral to ‘plastics’. However, apparently the waiting time for urgent referrals is 29 weeks! Is this usual? 
I understand it’s a slow growing cancer but 29 weeks seems an awful long time to wait for a diagnosis/treatment.

Also not sure what to expect from this first appointment So any advice gratefully received .

thank you.

  • Hi I was referred 29/4 and have my first appointment today. I did have medical photos taken and reviewed by a dermatologist. 
    my appointment is a 16:15 with plastics so I doubt they will do anything other than assess today. 
    I can let you know how it goes later.

  • Thanks 60sBabe!

    does sound like a long wait is normal then!

    hope all goes well for you today. 

  • Hi ,

    just out of the appointment.

    confirmed BCC and will need a wide excision and skin graft! Not quite what I was expecting. 
    They hope to do in next 4 weeks as so near my eye! 
    The plastics consultant was very nice and reassured me that I won’t die from it but it’s my face and may affect my eye and how it looks for a while. 
    it’s a regional centre for plastics and the consultant hopes to do it himself Fingers crossed

    I was planning to go back to work in 3-4 weeks but will need a couple of weeks off due to risk of infection and swelling! 

    keep pushing to be seen. The delay means that you need more extensive treatment. 

    I thought I was making a fuss going to the GP in the first place. 
    they took pictures but no biopsy.

    It’s wait a see now ! 

  • Oh -sounds lot more than just removing it then. Glad you’ve been seen and that a treatment plan is in place for you. That must be a weight off your mind.

    mine is just above my lip-sort of between my lip and nose. The GP said initially that it was nothing sinister but sent photos to dermatologist just in case and they thought it was a BCC! I’ve had it for months and just thought it was a wart or something and that it would just fall off eventually!! I have read that they seem more concerned if it’s on your face so I will continue to push for an appointment.

    tbh I was a bit disappointed just to get a text from the GP telling me I may have cancer!!

    good luck with your treatment and hopefully you’ll be fighting fit soon!

    let us know how you get on.

  • Hi 60sBabe,

    just wondered if you had your excision by now and if so how did it go?

     I got fed up of waiting for NHS so saw a consultant privately and am due to have excision on 15 October.

    Thanks,

    Ali

  • Hi there,

    thanks for remembering me! Pity the hospital haven’t Joy

    the initial time given by the consultant of 4 weeks was dismissed by the waiting list people and I was told that surgeons don’t book the slots and it could be a couple of months! 
    told to call back last day of September which I will be doing! 
    I had thought of going private but I am booked for the plastic consultant himself so hope the waiting will be worthwhile. I have just returned to work after treatment for thyroid cancer so the delay may have been for the better.
    The wait has allowed me to drop my youngest at university for his first term and hopefully I will drop my middle one back at her university the beginning of October. Any time after that would be great! 

    I feel like I on a merry go round for a second year. I keep telling myself that things happen for a reason.

    I'm pleased you have a date for your procedure.

    Are you having a skin graft as well? 

    Let me know how you get on, it’s good to know that you aren’t the only one! 

    X

  • Oh no that’s terrible Frowning2️. So sorry you haven’t had your op yet.

     As far as I’m aware I am having an excision- there was no mention of anything else Flushed.

    The consultant is a plastic surgeon as I did have an ‘urgent’ referral to ‘plastics’-which is why I chose a plastic surgeon. 

    Good luck and keep chasing! I’ll let you know how I get on - still feeling very nervous about the procedure as I’ve no idea what to expect!,

  • Hi, I had a bcc removed from my shin 6 years ago and now have one on my nose. I had an excision on my leg followed by (at the same time) a skin graft taken from my upper leg. I am waiting for MOHs referral for my nose but have seen horrendous pictures of flap grafts which is what I’d need so am now also researching radiotherapy though my consultant said the results are not as good.