I'm not even sure if I am allowed to be here to be honest as I haven't yet even had a diagnosis but I am completely overwhelmed by thoughts and research relating to my appointments.
I saw my gp regarding a shiny transparent mole on my face a few weeks ago. He initially completely dismissed it, showing me google images of melanoma and telling me mine looked nothing like that. I had to ask him about the possibility of bcc and he again googled that before agreeing that it looked like a possibility.
He referred me for a teledermatology appointment at the hospital which I have had, and have now been sent a letter asking me to attend a 2ww melanoma clinic appointment. Does anyone know if this could be nothing or if it's likely to be something given that everything I have read says that teledermatology is highly effective at diagnosing skin cancers? would things like bcc also be referred to a melanoma clinic? I am absolutely overwhelmed right now with worry. A bcc I felt I could deal with, but the thought of a possible melanoma is more than I can take at the minute. I have had this lesion for years (at least 6) and I can't help but think that if it turns out to be melanoma it is far too late for a positive outcome.
The worry and poorly thought through google research (which I know is a terrible idea but I genuinely can't stop myself) is all consuming and my appointment isn't for another week yet. It doesn't help that I have been noticing a dull ache in my armpit, so cue all the terrible scenarios building up.
I also know that asking this here isn't going to get me answers, but I'm really just hoping for some reassurance or even stories of anyone that has been in a similar situation and their outcomes, regardless. I feel like I am going insane.
Hi Plutoandthemoon. Everything you are feeling is completely normal, as this is how I felt. I have had two bcc's removed from my face, both looked totally different. One, like yours, was like a transparent grain of rice which was near my nostril but on my cheek. The other was a scab under my eye right up by my tear duct near top of nose, which I thought was where my glasses had rubbed. The one near my nostril was photographed by a skin laboratory that Bupa use and we had to email the imagine. Within 10 minutes I had a phone call telling me it was definitely a bcc. I saw a dermatologist first who then referred me to a plastic surgeon. I had them both removed, by skin flap and skin graft surgery. All done whilst I was awake and I am now fine. It wasnt painful at all, I was a nervous wreck. It looked unsightly for a few weeks but then started to fade and is hardly visible now. The melanoma clinic maybe just the dermatology department, so I wouldnt be alarmed by that. I was 73 so not young to endure all this, but I got through it. My Plastic surgeon was so kind and reassurng and told me that in time everything would be fine and it is. I am very very careful now in the sun, as I was before, but use Factor 50 suncream almost 365 days a year and especially now the sun is out. I am paranoid about it. This site is brilliant. It helped me through my ordeal and people are so kind and supportive to one another. Please ask me anything you want to know and I will try and help you and let us know how you go on. Please dnt be afraid to ask anything and everything you are feeling is completely normal. Good Luck xx
Thank you so much for your reply. It has definitely made me take a big calming breath! I am just so angry at myself, because honestly I have been reckless with sun safety. When I was a teenager I used sunbeds (my mum used to rent them once a year or so) and then as an adult I have lived in Australia and travelled Asia extensively and still not worn sunscreen on a regular basis. It’s absolutely my own stupid fault and now at 38 I can’t believe that I would have been so reckless.
Everything I have seen says that if teledermatology shows nothing to worry about you will be discharged back to the gp so I’m assuming the worst based on the fact that I have been asked to attend a face to face appointment. It’s really just the waiting and not knowing at the minute that’s driving me crazy! I’m counting down the minutes to my appointment. I’m so glad everything has worked out well for you and you found comfort and support on here x
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