Skin cancer?

[auntjoy]

About 6-7 years ago I was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma on my cheek. I was in my early thirties at the time and it was a big shock. I’d had this patch of scaly skin on my cheek for years but never thought anything of it and probably wouldn’t even have got it checked had it not started itching like mad.

Anyway it was biopsied and removed leaving quite a scar behind but all good.

I’ve now noticed a very small (approx 1cm) patch of scaly skin on my thumb. It looks a bit like a burn but I don’t remember burning it. Without my history I probably wouldn’t give it a second glance but I’m on high alert for this sort of stuff now.

Of course I know the answer is to get it checked out but I remember that last time it wasn’t dealt with through the GP or hospital, i was referred by GP but it was all dealt with and treated by a private dermatology clinic, really weird. So I will monitor it but I’m not sure where to go to get it checked. I feel like a GP would probably not take it seriously as it’s so small, barely noticeable really.

Has anyone else had anything like this?

Start with your GP. If it looks the same as your previous they would take it serious. Skin cancer is deadly take no risk.

Like you said monitor it and if it doesn’t go away and you’re concerned then go to your GP. With your previous history of skin cancer they’ll take you seriously.

Just go to your GP why would you think they wont take it seriously. They'll take a photo and send it to dermatology.

Because it’s so tiny. It’s barely there. I’m only concerned because of my history. But obviously if it doesn’t go away in the next few weeks I will have to get it looked at.

I’ve had several moles checked over the years. GP is the first port of call, they will do an urgent referral to dermatology. I’ve done this twice. The third time I booked with a local private mole clinic because I noticed a mole while I was on holiday and I could book an appointment the same day my plane landed back in the UK.
Given your history, I wouldn’t wait to see if it goes away.

Definitely see your GP. I had a second BCC several years after the first (actually mine was recurring because they didn’t fully get it all the first time, rather than separate like yours) and my GP referred me straight away, I did have quite a wait to be seen by the hospital though because BCC isn’t a serious form of skin cancer and is extremely slow growing and doesn’t spread, so it’s not seen as a two week wait referral.

Second time round because it was small and quite superficial I was able to be treated with a chemo cream rather than them cutting it out, which wasn’t pretty while I was having the treatment but left absolutely no scar whatsoever which was great, so you might be lucky like me if caught early.

Why waste time monitoring it? For how long? Just get it checked tomorrow for peace of mind!

I would go to the GP, it sounds like it could be treated with Efudix (chemo) cream, I had a flat scaly BCC on my shin which I used the cream on.

Definitely go to your GP.

I had a BCC on my nose when I was 35. Also a massive shock but because of that, I get taken seriously for any other concerning moles or skin things.

Positively BCC doesn't spread etc but it is a shock to hear the words cancer!

Not sure they call it cancer now, I noticed that mine were called skin lesions on the consultants letter. Cancer wasn't mentioned.

Absolutely go to your GP. They are likely to review and send pics off to a specialist

I recently had some BCC removed from my forehead. It was tiny on the surface, size of a pin head, just like a spot. But under the skin was about 5mm long and 1.5mm deep

So don't feel you are wasting time.

I think you should book to go to the GP, especially with your history. I happened to mention a beauty spot on my finger when I went to the GP for something else one time and a referral was made to get it removed and tested. They did the same with my mother when she has a scaly area on her face. The GP would rather you get it checked.

Basal cell carcinoma is not deadly at all.

At all? Anything carcinoma is serious. If ignored it can lead to disfiguerment, nerve and tissue damage.

Don't hesitate to go to your GP. Mine has a facility to send a photo and they refer straight to a dermatologist. You shouldn't wait

The thing on my thumb is not like the BSS that was on my face. That was noticeable and symptomatic. In hindsight I should have had it checked earlier, it was there for years and I just presumed it was dry skin.
The one on my thumb is much smaller and not itchy, red or scaly as such. I only noticed it yesterday. If it weren’t for my history I wouldn’t be giving it a second thought.
However it’s better to be safe than sorry so I will try to schedule an appointment soon. I don’t even think it would show up properly on a photo so I’d probably have to see them first. As I said, it was all dealt with at the clinic before. I wonder if I should call them directly for advice.