Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Cancer

Find advice & support if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer

Original poster

Scared to go to the doctors

86 replies

Hartey40 · 18/02/2025 09:06

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.

Scared to go to the doctors
OP posts:
FurAll · 19/02/2025 09:55

It looks very much like a sun spot. I had one and the GP was able to just email a photo to a dermatologist who confirmed it.

My stepfather had skin cancer. He died of secondary cancers years later. DO NOT DELAY.

Ring the doctor now. See if you can email the photo even. Then see what they say.

Original poster
Hartey40 · 19/02/2025 09:58

@FurAll I've sent photos to the GP this morning with an e consult x

OP posts:
Original poster
Hartey40 · 19/02/2025 10:05

Well the surgery has just phoned, they want me to book in to see a GP so I'm guessing they think it's urgent 🥲

OP posts:
scanni · 19/02/2025 10:15

Hartey40 · 19/02/2025 10:05

Well the surgery has just phoned, they want me to book in to see a GP so I'm guessing they think it's urgent 🥲

No they just want to look at it in person. There is nothing to suggest urgency about them wanting you to make an appointment

TrainTicket · 19/02/2025 10:15

Hartey40 · 19/02/2025 10:05

Well the surgery has just phoned, they want me to book in to see a GP so I'm guessing they think it's urgent 🥲

They might just want a closer look. Things can look different in real life compared to a photo, they might want to feel texture etc.
Its hard not to worry, but the sooner it’s seen and dealt with, the better.

PeggyMitchellsCameo · 19/02/2025 10:19

Had one on my nose non cancerous. I sent pics to my GP but they wanted to see me in person as well.
Here’s to some peace of mind for you.

Original poster
Hartey40 · 19/02/2025 11:11

I'm scared about the removal too x

OP posts:
maximalistmaximus · 19/02/2025 11:41

Skin cancer is almost the most treatable of all cancers. The survival rate is in the high 90%s.

LoafofSellotape · 19/02/2025 11:50

They have to see anything that potentially sinister in person,they can't do it by e consult so don't panic.

I didn't even need mine removing ,I used chemo cream. My dh had a big skin cancer removed, day surgery, healed beautifully even with 10 stitches and didn't even need a follow up appt. Don't fret yet, take each step at a time.

Original poster
Hartey40 · 19/02/2025 12:39

So next available appointment is next Thursday...so another week of googling for me, but at least I'm addressing it now. I haven't told my partner as yet, only been with him 3 years and don't want to worry him, same for my children. I find it best posting on forums like this x

OP posts:
LoafofSellotape · 19/02/2025 12:48

Just step away from Google, no good comes from it and you just frighten yourself silly. Lots of the medical things are out of date/irrelevant / no point as you don't know what it is.

Just keep busy and get lots of fresh air while you're waiting for your appt.

LadeedahYadaYada · 19/02/2025 12:52

my DH had skin cancer - basal cell carnicoma. it was all cut out and left a small scar - now he has regular checks to make sure no new cancers pop up. good you got it checked and have an appt. it does look like age spot to me too - but only your GP knows best. good luck

Wolfiefan · 19/02/2025 12:54

They probably just want a proper look under really good lighting. It doesn’t mean it’s cancer. Good luck op.

ErrolTheDragon · 19/02/2025 13:21

Hartey40 · 19/02/2025 10:05

Well the surgery has just phoned, they want me to book in to see a GP so I'm guessing they think it's urgent 🥲

IME - and between us DH and I have had quite a few skin lesions all benign - it's one of those things they can usually get on with quickly. They'll want to look at it with a dermatascope I expect, they may refer you to a dermatologist, they may want to biopsy/remove. None of these steps should fill you with fear, it's common and routine.

dizzydizzydizzy · 19/02/2025 13:22

Wolfiefan · 19/02/2025 12:54

They probably just want a proper look under really good lighting. It doesn’t mean it’s cancer. Good luck op.

This. Also I think they would want to see you within 24 hours if they thought it was cancer.

I know what it's like, OP with the worrying. You've done the right thing.

Original poster
Hartey40 · 19/02/2025 13:32

You were right to say step away from the internet, I joined a skin cancer support group on Facebook - and 2 nice ladies have told me is BCC, only trying to help I suppose but that's it now no more googling etc 😬

OP posts:
Mittens67 · 19/02/2025 13:56

I have stage 4 melanoma.

A few bits of advice IF it is thought worthy of removal:

If it requires removal then this will be under local anaesthetic and is really not painful or stressful. You are also lucky in that is can be hidden by your hair if a scar worries you.

Once the pathology results are back there are many options even if this is cancerous, most of them only at risk of local spread ie will not metastasise to the rest of your body. If it is one of these less serious types of cancer then be reassured because lots of people have these and even have them come back and they are perfectly fine living their life. My friend’s husband has had 12 now and they have never become anything more than mildly irritating.

Should the results come back as melanoma, the type of skin cancer which can spread to your organs etc , then be reassured because treatment for melanoma has made enormous strides in the past years and what was pretty much a guaranteed death sentence just 10- 15 years ago is very different now. I can’t say that nobody dies of melanoma anymore because they do, but many, many people don’t.
Plus should it be melanoma then your stage is most likely extremely early so you may need no further treatment.

If you do need treatment there are now options of tablets and localised infusions as well as systemic infusions. Melanoma is not receptive to chemotherapy so you won’t be offered that. Instead the treatment used is immunotherapy and whilst this can cause side effects they are very different to chemo.

There is also a new vaccine being used which is currently being given with immunotherapy but it is hoped that in the next couple of years it will be a stand alone treatment and this has very few side effects at all.
If your results are melanoma and you do need further treatment later down the line you might be well timed for this vaccine.

Finally, google is of no use to you. The stats you will read will be out of date because melanoma treatment, and therefore survival rates, are changing and improving faster than articles and info on google.

If you need any support once your results are back feel free to message me.

Original poster
Hartey40 · 19/02/2025 14:04

Erm I wasn't thinking it is melanoma but I am now 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
Mittens67 · 19/02/2025 16:02

Hartey40 · 19/02/2025 14:04

Erm I wasn't thinking it is melanoma but I am now 🤷‍♀️

Well it was not my intention to scare you at all but you had said you thought it was cancer. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer so it appeared to me that this was what you were most worried about given other types are not life threatening.
Also as I said in my post my advice was IF it was deemed worthy of removal and I gave information and reassurance at all points.
However if I have made you feel worse then my apologies but I think that knowing that even IF the worst scenario is true then better I offer some positive personal experience than not.

Msmoonpie · 19/02/2025 16:11

Really try not to worry - even if it IS skin cancer - which I know nothing about - there are options.

And please don’t worry about the removal it’s ridiculously easy.

Take 10 minutes under local and isn’t painful afterwards.

Ive had an odd mole/mark removed because they weren’t sure exactly what it was. It wasn’t cancer.

I also had a mole change colour with a black outline. Had it checked. Also wasn’t cancer.

Original poster
Hartey40 · 19/02/2025 16:26

@Msmoonpie thank you, it is quite large so I'm worried there is going to be a big hole in my forehead I suppose, I do have health anxiety anyway, got worse since I turned 50, so this is a nightmare for me. I know I need to stay calm but it's hard x

OP posts:
Original poster
Hartey40 · 19/02/2025 16:29

@Mittens67 Sorry, I know you was trying to give me as much info as possible, and I'm sorry about your diagnosis. I haven't thought about which cancer it is, it is an usual mark, which seemed to appear after the summer 18months ago, it's never caused me any problem as it doesn't itch, bleed or hurt, it's not crusty or anything, and I have tried to forget about it, but I know that is not a sensible approach, hence my appointment next week. I hope your recovery goes ok x

OP posts:
LoafofSellotape · 19/02/2025 16:45

You won't have a big hole, my friend ha something much bigger removed on her face and you can barely see it now,the plastic surgeons are fantastic,they don't go at it with a teaspoon!

Original poster
Hartey40 · 19/02/2025 16:57

@LoafofSellotape that made me smile at least x

OP posts:
RachelLikesTea · 19/02/2025 16:57

I can relate, I lost both parents to cancer in their early 60s (15 years ago, they died in close succession to one another). For years afterwards, when anything was wrong my mind went straight to cancer. I have managed to combat that somewhat over the last 15 years. Had a mole removed (saw the GP about something that randomly appeared on my face, he referred me under the 2 week rule to dermatology but explained that he did not think it was skin cancer). Dermatologist was not concerned about thing on face but suggested removal of mole elsewhere. Also had a recall after my first mammogram and a biopsy which came back fine. I just had the be brave and face it; felt it was irresponsible not to for myself and my dc. My brain now doesn't go straight to cancer because I realise now that it was just how my brain was wired and that there are sooooo many things something could be before you get to cancer. And even then, early detection is better. You can do this OP.