Is this a wasted drs appointment?

[Bibblybumblebee]

I have this skin coloured spot on my cheek- I picked it but it’s not spot, more like a flat wart type thing?

it’s tiny! Like half a grain of rice

I feel too embarrassed going to a go to ask if it’s skin cancer

is there someone else I can ask?

You could see a pharmacist first

Go to a pharmacist.

If you have any worry it could be skin cancer see your gp not a pharmacist.
I have melanoma and it can start from the tiniest thing. Odds are that your spot thing is probably not melanoma or even a less serious type of skin cancer but better safe than sorry.

I'm not sure a pharmacist would be much help/few would have dermatology training and there would be a huge medicolegal risk in telling you that it's nothing to worry about.

If you've picked at it/traumatised it it'll be tricky to see what it is. Leave it be, take a good photo for reference. If you're worried it might be a skin cancer go and see your GP.

Here's a useful website which gives some examples of skin lesions you should be particularly concerned about.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/non-melanoma-skin-cancer/symptoms/#:~:text=Sometimes%20skin%20cancer%20may%20start%20as%20a%20flat%20discoloured%20patch.&text=Cancerous%20patches%20can%20be%20a,including%20purple%2C%20brown%20and%20red.&text=The%20patches%20may%20be%20darker%20on%20brown%20or%20black%20skin.&text=Sometimes%20the%20patches%20may%20look%20crusty%20and%20feel%20rough%20or%20itchy.

How strange! I have a funny flat (for want if a better word) growth on my back, and Ive been thinking I should get an appointment to get it checked.

It doesn't hurt, but good lord it's so itchy!!!! Not sure if you can see from this pic.

If you are at all concerned then yes phone your doctor. It could be nothing. It could be skin cancer. You can't tell. The doctor can. They might even offer a service where you can consult online and attach a photo.

Look at the NHS guidelines and if the symptoms match up then book an appt?

Get it checked by a DOCTOR.

Look on your surgery's website and see if they do online consultations where you send phots etc, then it will still get looked at and you won't feel like you're 'wasting'an appointment.

Sorry, I see I have repeated another posters advice!

Doctor definitely.

My MILs dentist picked up a tiny spot like that on her nose and referred her to the Maxofacial dept who arranged for a biopsy, it turned out malignant and they removed it in that department.

Well worth getting it checked out!

No advice beyond pp but what a disgrace that we are concerned about “wasting” a GP appointment re what could (but probably isn’t, OP) be skin cancer.

I remember when I was at uni coming home and noticing my dad had a funny “mark” on his face - as he was a massive sun worshipper I told him to ring the GP. He did, had an appointment that week, was immediately referred to dermatology, and had it removed a short time later for testing. (It was nothing, and he was extremely annoyed at me for being a nag!) The glory days!

I say get it checked by dr. I felt stupid getting a mole checked but it was precancerous and they removed it. Also had a family member refusing to go dr over skin changes and when persuaded to go found out it was malignant. Both of us felt we were wasting dr time but we were not. Get yourself checked