Scared to go to the doctors

[Hartey40]

Haven't posted for a very long time, and I know the only answer is, is to go to the GP, but I'm scared, terrified infact, of worse case scenario.

My mum had cancer 3 times before she finally died, so my fear of cancer is to some degree rational.

I developed a weird looking lesion on my forehead about 18 months ago, it literally seemed to appear one day, as I can't remember seeing it until I saw it.

I know it's cancer, I'm in my 50's and I know I need to get it checked out before it's too bloody late.

Thanks for reading. I've attached a photo.

I get why you are scared but one thing about cancer. ( if it is cancer) the earlier the treatment the higher success rates..

it also might not be cancer which means you have worried for 18 months .

good luck

Looks possibly like something I had that went away with salicylic acid (Clearasil Rapid Action) it was a seborrheic something or other -age spot!

I've had skin cancer and I used chemo cream which worked a treat.

Go to the doctor.

If it is cancer, it will still be cancer if you go to the GP or not. If you get it looked at professionally they can advise as to treatment or if they feel it is benign. I totally understand your feelings about your experience of cancer with your mother, but not going will not help. Hope you find the strength to make the first step.

Given your age it could be a sun spot.
Phone the surgery, get an appt, and get some peace of mind. 💐

If this is a skin cancer.. and I say if. It would be most likely removed in a day unit and that would be the end if it. I say this as a nurse who has worked in this area for years. No good can come from not getting it checked..

I had one of these, went to the docs. Not cancer. I can’t remember the correct name but it’s basically an age spot. Doctor said they don’t remove as it’s purely cosmetic but you can get products that help in boots.
Ring the doctor or do an e consult if your practice does these? You could send a photo? Might not be so scary.
I don’t think you need to worry but I do think it’s best to get it checked for your own peace of mind.

DH and I have had various skin things that look way worse than that looked at, biopsied/removed and found to be benign.
Yes, it's scary but it's scarier to live with the unknown IME.

Looks like a seborrheic wart to me. Very benign

I don’t know you, but I know being worried about your health and also having a severe diagnosis. And I can tell you that it’s so much better to worry about what’s real and true than the terrifying things your mind will conjure up in the depths of the night.

You are stronger than you think, and will cope with whatever happens, but begin dealing with the reality now and stop torturing yourself with your own worst fears. Good luck. Please come back and let us support you.

Is it not an age freckle thing? I have one on my hand that looks very similar. I think they are called liver spots and develop in areas exposed to the sun. Totally harmless

This is so true. If it is cancer, it will still be cancer if you go to the GP or not.

What have you got to lose by going to the GP? What could you gain from going to the GP?

It could be a sunspot, 18m ago would be towards the end of summer after all.

I'm sorry for the experience and the loss of your mum @Hartey40 .

Go to your GP OP, it must be worrying you so much. I have no medical qualifications but it doesn’t look like a skin cancer to me. But any change in skin is wise to have it checked. The sooner you go, hopefully you can stop worrying.

Honestly just make a gp appointment. They will be able to tell you pretty quickly whether it’s something you need to worry about and then you can relax and live your life again.

Looks like an age spot

It really doesn't look cancerous to me (not a doctor!) and you are worrying unnecessarily by bit having a doctor confirming whether it is or it isn't. If it is cancer the earlier the better get yourself down there today. Put yourself out of your misery

IF it is cancer you know it’s better to do something about it now than wait until it has spread and more difficult to treat.
I understand your worries, but your worries are not going to go away by ignoring it. And as others have said it doesn’t look cancerous in the classic way that skin cancers often do.

Thank you all for your replies, very much appreciated! I've sent off an e - consult to my GP with a few pics. I really don't think it's an age/sun spot, although I can see why it looks like one in the photo.

I will keep you updated x

Well done! They'll probably have you in to take a look at it with a dermatoscope and then decide if it needs biopsying/removing.

@Hartey40 I had skin cancer Basel cell in my 30's. If you have to get cancer it's the 'best' one to get really.
It was removed under local and mild sedation. They were really careful to ensure they got it all, so I was sat for a while waiting whilst they checked the margins under microscope to make sure it was all gone.
Recovery was great, the scar's hardly visible. My brothers had one done too. Both about 20 years ago and no further concerns.

I hope your isn't cancer, but wanted to share that skin cancer needn't be too scary.

Oh I have a couple of these on my back. They're called sebhorric keratosis. I don't think that's spelled correctly 😂

I don't think it's seborric Keratosis it looks nothing like one on photos online x

Don't try and diagnose yourself, go to the GP.

I'm not I've already sent off my e-consult, I already think it's cancerous x

Oh brilliant, well done, please update when you've seen the GP, fingers crossed it's nothing sinister 🤞x

It really does look like one tbh.