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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:
Original poster
Hartey40 · 19/02/2025 17:00

@RachelLikesTea thank you 😊

OP posts:
Original poster
Hartey40 · 19/02/2025 17:01

@RachelLikesTea sorry about your parents too, it's hard x

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Minnie798 · 19/02/2025 17:07

Glad you are getting seen by your gp. I’ve had skin cancer removals x2 -bcc. Removal of non- melanoma skin cancers is curative in the vast majority of cases. It’s quick and easy, done as a day case and usually no other treatment is needed. It’s normal to be given a gp appt for it to be looked at properly ( not just a photo).

Doggymummar · 19/02/2025 17:10

Is it a lesion, I thought lesions were wet It looks like an age spot or sunspot if you prefer to me

Original poster
Hartey40 · 19/02/2025 17:16

@Doggymummar I don't know what it is, it's very much dry and smooth, a bit like a mole. Just a bit odd

OP posts:
loobylou10 · 19/02/2025 17:19

It looks like my BCC did. Easily treated.

ErrolTheDragon · 19/02/2025 17:43

Doggymummar · 19/02/2025 17:10

Is it a lesion, I thought lesions were wet It looks like an age spot or sunspot if you prefer to me

No, 'lesion' is a very broad term.

grizeldagreen · 19/02/2025 17:44

I had basal cell carcinoma. I'd had the weird little patch on my face for years but something told me to get it checked. It was removed very easily and left minimal scarring. There is nothing to be afraid of. It may not be cancer but if it is then getting it removed before it has chance to spread is essential.

JohnTheRevelator · 19/02/2025 17:45

I had something very similar on the front of my shin a few years ago. I went to the doctor when it hadn't cleared up after a couple of months as I worried it might be cancer. He gave me some steroid cream to put on it and it disappeared within a month.

Starlightstarbright4 · 19/02/2025 22:35

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 🥲

It isn't been seen as urgent..I have had a few e consults they see me the same day...Sometimes its a routine appointment... but i understand the overthinking .. Distraction is my best advice till you see the gp

justasking111 · 19/02/2025 22:47

Mine started in my fifties around my hairline, forehead. . They were harmless. I also started with seborrheic dermatitis. All age things. No liver spots though.

Original poster
Hartey40 · 20/02/2025 06:59

Didn't have a good day yesterday, off work atm, as I work in a school and it's half term, so probably not helping. Hardly ate, very bad sleep. Still scaring myself silly over removal and horrible scarring, it seems even for the tiniest spot they take a lot...meeting a friend for lunch today so hoping this helps distract me.

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bullrushes · 20/02/2025 07:05

Just go to the doctors. I’m currently waiting for an ultrasound for suspected thyroid cancer. My stress levels are through the roof. At this point I don’t care whether it’s bloody cancer or not I just need to know one way or another since I’m in limbo waiting (and unfortunately I can’t even get the ultrasound faster by going private). Just go.

Original poster
Hartey40 · 20/02/2025 07:07

@bullrushes I am going, it's in this thread somewhere, I'm booked in for next Thursday, but I'm still very anxious...I'm sorry your in limbo too x

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LoafofSellotape · 20/02/2025 08:03

Hartey40 · 20/02/2025 06:59

Didn't have a good day yesterday, off work atm, as I work in a school and it's half term, so probably not helping. Hardly ate, very bad sleep. Still scaring myself silly over removal and horrible scarring, it seems even for the tiniest spot they take a lot...meeting a friend for lunch today so hoping this helps distract me.

You've got to stop the googling,you don't even know what it is yet let alone if they'll treat it. They might use chemo cream IF it needs treating. You need to talk to the GP about health anxiety as this is very unhealthy.

justasking111 · 20/02/2025 09:11

I had a biopsy for breast cancer on Tuesday. Will get results next week. Nothing I can do but enjoy this week and hopefully all will be okay.

Honestly @Hartey40 don't let it ruin your time off.

bullrushes · 20/02/2025 09:42

Is the issue about a scar really that much of a problem for you if it means the risk has gone?

I have been reading about thyroidectomy scars which are large and prominent. I'm actually not bothered about it in the slightest if it means I'm still alive. I'm not on the dating scene though anymore and DH wouldn't give a fuck.

Original poster
Hartey40 · 20/02/2025 09:52

@bullrushes I'm 54 and went Back on the dating scene 4 years ago after a 30 year marriage, ex husband hid an affair (a different story a different thread) I'm now with someone nearly 3 years, I think he would be supportive, who knows 🤷‍♀️. Yes I'm scared about a scar albeit on my forehead, but I'm just anxious, we are all different and deal with shit like this differently, I've been through a hell of a lot. My life was just settling down again, and it's thrown another curve ball at me x

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Original poster
Hartey40 · 20/02/2025 09:59

@justasking111 Thank you for your kind words. Hope all turns out ok for you x

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Original poster
Hartey40 · 23/02/2025 10:07

Still feeling anxious, it comes in waves, back to work tomorrow so this will help, Haven't googled (as much) managed to finish a book I was reading. My partner is off work today so going out for Sunday lunch. I haven't told him yet.

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TheFormidableMrsC · 23/02/2025 11:16

That doesn't look cancerous at all. My friend has a few of these on her face, it's just age spots. My Dad has had basal cell carcinoma twice. It didn't look like that either. I really hope it will be absolutely fine and you can discuss your health anxiety with your GP so they can help.

holly1483 · 23/02/2025 11:24

I have an almost identical mark in the same location. It's a sebhorric keratosis (spelling?) and is benign. A GP and skin cancer specialist has seen it (I live in Australia, so have an annual skin check as routine). Honestly nothing about it suggests it's skin cancer. If it's a BCC or SCC it will be removed with chemo cream or cut out - end of story. If it's melanoma and hasn't changed in 18 months then I'll eat my hat. Honestly, at 50, and looking like that, I'd bet my house is a sebrohic keratosis - very common, benign skin lesion.

Original poster
Hartey40 · 23/02/2025 11:39

@holly1483 Thank you it doesn't have the hallmark of a SK it's not crusty or itchy or anything like that and it's too thick for a age spot, it's just very strange, hence why I'm worried x

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Original poster
Hartey40 · 23/02/2025 11:41

@TheFormidableMrsC Thank you, it's not a age spot, but looks similar, at 54 and menopausal , health anxiety is so common, well anxiety in general tbh. X

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holly1483 · 23/02/2025 11:46

Hartey40 · 23/02/2025 11:39

@holly1483 Thank you it doesn't have the hallmark of a SK it's not crusty or itchy or anything like that and it's too thick for a age spot, it's just very strange, hence why I'm worried x

My SK doesn't feel crusty or itchy either. The texture is identical to what yours looks like.