Waiting times

Hi Lisamuire

I hope that you don't mind me replying as I had a different type of cancer to you, but by doing so it will hopefully bump your post. 

I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis of BCC 7 months ago. I am surprised that you are still waiting for an appointment with plastics and I do think it would be best to contact them and find out what is happening.

I would also suggest that you contact your GP to have it checked and to explain it has doubled in size and is now hurting all the time. I wonder then whether they would be able to directly contact the consultant on your behalf and get you seen quicker. If nothing else they would be able to give some reassurance and find out what is happening.

Hopefully someone who has had BCC will now see your post and can share their experiences. 

Jane

Hi Lisamuire   Only just seen your post.  That is dreadful you have had to wait so long.  I had 2 bcc's removed from my face 2 years ago.  I did have them done privately, but the NHS waiting time wasnt as long as you are experiencing.  One of mine grew very quickly under my eye near top of nose and was painful, I had a skin graft with this one.  The other one near my nostril didn't grow much at all and I didnt have pain with this one.  This was the one I first went to the Drs about after seeing this "small thing" appear that didnt go away. The other I thought my new glasses had rubbed the area and got it checked by plastic surgeon who did biopsy and this too was a bcc.  I would certainly get in touch with your Drs as this long wait is unacceptable.  They say bcc's aren't dangerous, probably not but they spread as you and I have found out and then it becomes a more serious operation to have them sorted.  Here for you if you need any more help and good luck x

Was it extremely expensive to go private. 

Maybe go back to your doctor and show them that it has grown quite quickly and they might be able to red flag it and get you seen more quickly. With my first BCC I ended up self funding private treatment and stuck it on my credit card which I could do without but I wanted to get it sorted asap. I think roughly it cost me just over £1,000 for consultation and surgery. Since then I now have private health insurance which costs me £50 a month but it’s worth it as I’ve just had treatment last week to remove another BCC and two biopsies for potential BCCs which would have amounted to about £2,000+ and I’ve been able to get eeen in a matter of weeks. I hope you manage to get seen soon! 

Hi Lisa moire

I waited about 7 months to see the dermatologist and and then about 5 months to get it removed... if I'd had mohs it would have 10 months......  it was painful but I believe they can be.... as yours has grown I'd contact the hospital and tell them and hopefully they'll see you quicker...   I don't think they rush with bcc normally but as yours is growing they should see you sooner