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Original poster

Convinced myself I have skin cancer

19 replies

Caelaj07 · 25/10/2019 21:08

I’ve got this spot on my neck, it’s gradually got bigger over a month or so. It’s not a boil or cyst. It’s got a scab on top despite not bleeding and it’s sometimes itchy. I’ve googled and searched etc and convinced myself it’s a carcinoma of some sort

OP posts:
ragged · 25/10/2019 21:13

Seborrhic kerotosis? Sorry, that isn't perfect spelling.
There are lots of types of benign skin growth. Too many for me to remember.

thetardis · 25/10/2019 21:15

i'm far enough into the weekend to think you were talking about the fluffy top Blush

can't say anything beyond check with your dr, but i have found recently i'm undergoing a kind of mole replacement cycle. mid 40s and fair. i've had several come up around my collar bone/shoulders that i've been too distracted otherwise to get checked out. they raise, rub off and die right back down.

ymmv ianad etc.

Notcontent · 25/10/2019 21:17

Please don’t worry but do see a doctor and get them to refer you to a dermatologist- just to be sure. Don’t let the gp fob you off, because most gPs in the UK know very little about skin cancer.

To make you feel better, I am mid 40s and over the years have had skin cancer scares, bowel cancer scare, breast cancer scare, etc. In each case it turned out to be nothing!

Original poster
Caelaj07 · 25/10/2019 21:55

This is probably a better photo. I’m going to book into the doctors on Monday though

OP posts:
ragged · 25/10/2019 22:00

That skin doctor on... channel 5? Is always removing weird benign growths off of people.

fanniboz · 25/10/2019 22:19

Definitely get it checked out but to me it doesn't look all that sinister. I appreciate it's very scary and worrying for you though Thanks keep posting here and air your thoughts if it helps op, we'll be around while you wait for an answer Halloween Smile

themueslicamel · 25/10/2019 23:02

OP, I've had cancer, chemotherapy and surgery and lived to tell the tale,

Your lump is overwhelming probably nothing, but any doubt get it checked, and double if you still aren't happy.

Original poster
Caelaj07 · 28/10/2019 11:42

I’ve been to the doctors and she’s put me through a 2 week urgent referral for a dermatologist just have to wait for the appointment now

OP posts:
SellmeyourMLMcrap · 28/10/2019 12:24

Hi OP, I just wanted to reassure you a bit if it's at all possible.

I went to the dermatologist last week, also on an urgent 2 week referral. Basically the thing I had that looked like that was just a spot of some sort, it will be there forever but wasn't anything to worry about.

They also checked a few other marks etc but they were age related rather than sun related despite them growing etc.

One last piece of advice, wear clean underwear. I was shocked when he asked me to strip off so he could check the rest of my body but having checked this is completely normal :)

Original poster
Caelaj07 · 28/10/2019 13:06

Ah thank you for that response I would never of expected them to ask to check the rest of your body. How long did you wait for your appointment? Glad you’re ok and it wasn’t anything serious

OP posts:
DinoGreen · 28/10/2019 13:17

@Caelaj07 I had a spot on my nose that would not heal up and persistently bled over a couple of years. I eventually got referred and my appointment at the hospital was within just over 14 days. The consultant there initially didn’t think it was concerning but decided to remove it just in case - then subsequent testing showed that it was in fact a nasal cell carcinoma. However whilst technically skin cancer this is the least scary type of cancer there is, it can’t spread to other parts of your body, removal is a complete cure. I was left with a small scar that now, a year on, can barely be seen (though it did admittedly look pretty awful right after the procedure). So try not to worry, all the best.

f83mx · 28/10/2019 13:22

I think the referrals are often seen as urgent - I had something on my leg and was seen within 10 days and the dermatologist checked over loads of other moles for me as I was in a right panic! All fine though.

BillieEilish · 28/10/2019 13:23

My dentist spotted a darkened tiny mole on my foot (flipflops) and told me to go to the doc straight away. [I thought Hmm

It was skin cancer, all gone now as spotted so early. Dentist recognised it as same had happened to her. Early 30's.

SerenDippitty · 28/10/2019 13:28

Certainly does not look like a melanoma, and if it is another type of skin cancer, which it most probably isn’t, it will be very easily curable. Looks like seborrheic keratosis - DH has one on his back. Don’tworry.

PettyContractor · 28/10/2019 14:17

How long did you wait for your appointment?

I've been through this recently in London. Saw GP on a Friday. She decided to refer on the two-week thing. She was able to book the appointment herself with the hospital, called me back a couple of hours after I saw her to confirm the time. Dermatology saw me on the following Tuesday, removed the mole the week after that.

About three weeks later dermatology called me back for the histology results. Very early stage melanoma.They scheduled a "wider excision" (which removes a larger area of surrounding skin) for about a month later. There was no rush with this as it was just precautionary, the original mole removal had removed the melanoma.

I found the operations painless, less uncomfortable than having a filling at the dentist, albeit taking a bit longer. (And requiring the wound stitches to be looked after afterwards.) But with hindsight I disagree with the nurse who said I knew what was involved because I'd had moles removed before. My previous removals were by a GP decades ago, and from my face by cosmetic surgeons as an adult. In both cases, the hole was not much bigger than the diameter of the thing removed. I'd say dermatology approach is much more intense, they do not fuck about when removing moles! For the initial removal of a mole maybe 12 mm long they left a 40mm scar with a long row of neat stitches. For the second operation dermatology treated the 40mm scar as the baseline and removed 10mm around it, leaving a 60mm scar. (Perhaps you will get allocated a cosmetic surgeon, given the mole is near you face.)

Original poster
Caelaj07 · 28/10/2019 17:02

If it has to be removed I’m not too bothered about scarring as my hair would normally cover it, glad everyone who has been through this is fine now. I know if it is it’s treatable and not to worry too much

OP posts:
ChristinaMarlowe · 28/10/2019 17:04

Two week wait is a strategy used all the time for just in case scenarios, please don't worry. If it wasn't there 4 weeks ago it's very , very unlikely it's sinister. If it is you are well within the time limit for a removal with great results so please don't fret.

Original poster
Caelaj07 · 02/11/2019 19:25

I went to the dermatologist, she wasn’t sure and wanted it sending for biopsy so they removed it there and then. I was in and out and just a few stitches in my neck

OP posts:
fanniboz · 03/11/2019 00:25

Sounds like a step in the right direction OP. Hopefully not long to wait for biopsy results and any next steps, if anyThanks

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