Firstly I suppose that - having scrolled through the list of all those cancers to find this forum - I feel a bit of a fraud moaning about mine.
I’m 45, and I’ve developed this little growth on my nose from what for years I remember being a little pit, like a scar in which the pores would get blocked - I’m wondering now how long ago things started changing, though looking back at photos it’s been growing more noticeable for about a year.
I went to see my GP earlier this year. Well, I got in to see the nurse, and she was fairly sure it was nothing to worry about but sought a second opinion from one of the doctors. So I sat and waited a while but was pleased to have jumped the system and happy to hear that - in her opinion - it was some sort of cyst. Sadly, being simply a “cosmetic” issue, I was on my own if I wanted rid of it.
I went home and discussed it with my wife, and decided to drop in to the SK:N place I pass on the way to work every day, and got in to see one of their “medical directors” for a consultation (£150) about removing it. She took a look under what I think is a dermoscope (?) and asked me to take a seat ... I just knew what was coming. She wrote a referral back to my GP.
After my chasing it up, a letter finally arrived to inform me that “my GP had decided to refer me” to the BCC clinic in Leicester. I just had that appointment this week and was told:
- yes, it “looks like” a BCC (without any real examination);
- it’ll carry on growing if left;
- it’s not urgent, so an appointment might take months depending on other cases;
- if I want a biopsy to confirm it, that’ll add months;
- it’ll be excised and I’ll need a skin graft.
The last point floored me a bit; all the stuff I’d read suggested MOHS, especially given it’s near the tip of my nose. But apparently they don’t have the capacity. If I had ~£5,000, I could get it done at one of several private clinics in the area.
I’m hoping someone can tell me truthfully whether there will be a noticeable difference in the outcome, or whether I should raid the piggy bank, swallow hard and go private.
And any other advice!! Thank you :-)
Hi
I'm glad that you've found the responses helpful so far.
You asked how to get back in touch with your consultant. As you were left with a number of alternative ways you could proceed, were you given a contact number so that you could tell them what you wanted to do? If so, give that number a call and explain that you want to discuss further alternatives.
If you weren't given a contact number phone, the consultant's secretary and tell her that you need to speak to him.
Let us know how you get on and how you decide to proceed.
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
That's great to hear that your biopsy has shown it's not a BCC !
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
