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Cancer

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Original poster

Biopsy - going by myself

33 replies

WineBeforeWhine · 05/01/2026 16:50

I live alone, and don’t have anyone close, this week I’ve got to have a skin biopsy. Has anyone here had one? How was it? I’m nervous about it. How long before you get the results?

OP posts:
Maddy70 · 06/01/2026 19:52

Mine didn't hurt at all I also had to go alone. They anesthestise it first. You don't feel anything

Yequit · 06/01/2026 20:46

I went alone and all was well. I asked for a mirror so I could watch, but I realise that's not for everyone! Results were back in about 2 weeks so hope it's quick for you.

Went to get the results on my own too which wasn't the smartest idea but I didn't think about it until i was already in the waiting room - so maybe if you have a friend you could ask them now so hopefully they'll be able to come with you when it's time.

Good luck OP!

Original poster
WineBeforeWhine · 07/01/2026 06:12

Limehawkmoth · 06/01/2026 19:45

I’ve had 7 Basel cell carcinomas . (Honest I’ve never sun bathed, burnt in sun as young child is literally only time, but have pale non tanned no skin and vitamin D diffciency due to lack of sun🤦🏼‍♀️🙄

so lots of biopsies under local as they’ve checked other turned out to be benign. And then locals to remove the BCC. The latest using MOHs.

the staff are normally lovely. If you say you’re a bit anxious or scared, they’ll look after you. The worse bit is the local going in. Depends on where the area is. Mine were all on face, and some had to be accessed through mouth . Yep, it stings. But it is over quick. Ask to hold someone’s had or grip the chair arms, breathe steadily out and in and focus on breathing.

after thst, they’ll wait a few mins before starting. You won’t feel anything then, other than maybe a bit of numbed pulling. If at any point you start to feel stinging let them know immedately. They’ll top up local if needed

it is quick. Ven with my MOHs I was in and out each time in 20 mins, the removal even under such careful process only took 19 mins of that ,

the local will numb pain for a few hours after. Then take paracetamol or other anti inflammatory. Don’t wait to see if it’s painful. Get in some co-codomol for the night in case you need it.

biopsies haven’t needed stitches. You’ll get a dressing on it. And you’ll need to keep it dry for a few days usually (they’ll tell you). Depedning on where it is I’d get some additional sterile dressings and surgical tape form chemist too as these dressing can fall off (my MOHs was round my nose and mouth and was a challenge for any dressing to stay on very long 🤣).

results should be 2 weeks normally. Maybe it’s longer now!

Edited

Can you please explain what is MOH?

OP posts:
Original poster
WineBeforeWhine · 07/01/2026 06:15

I’m going to have a chat with my neighbour, for the future. I’m happy to run her anywhere so I’m sure she’d be ok to return the favour.

OP posts:
Limehawkmoth · 07/01/2026 07:24

WineBeforeWhine · 07/01/2026 06:12

Can you please explain what is MOH?

Show quote history

MOHs is great ld standard in uk for removing skin cancers

instead of simple removal in one go, the team take as small an area as they can, but don’t close wound. Patient goes and waits in ward. The removed tissue is sent to lab immediately where team is waiting to check margins . They feedback to plastics immediately where more tissues needs to be removed. Patient then goes back into “theatre” and more skin taken. And so on till all margins are clear.It is conservative approach. But only done are a few regional specialist centres so certain criteria for the need for it apply versus the normal excision approach.

MOHs is used in area like face, especially zones around nose, where taking a larger section of tissue than absolutely necessary could lead to issues, or where skin grafting might be needed if larger area removed

its all done under local still. You get topped up each time you go back into theatre for that day. In practice most plastics get them out on second round.

staff are lovely while you waiting between rounds. Plenty of checking up, tea, biscuits etc 😊

Limehawkmoth · 07/01/2026 07:34

I should add, if you’re diagnosed with BCC there is currently long wait lists to have removal. Over 12 months

BCCs normal grow slowly so are not prioritised by nhs compared with other plastics surgery . May be different if simple excision by dermatology

bare in mind plastics are dealing with stuff like burns and other more urgent skin cancers, so not as alarming as this first sounds

Limehawkmoth · 07/01/2026 07:35

Sorry just seen error again “ gold standard “

crap typing on phone

Limehawkmoth · 07/01/2026 07:39

WineBeforeWhine · 07/01/2026 06:15

I’m going to have a chat with my neighbour, for the future. I’m happy to run her anywhere so I’m sure she’d be ok to return the favour.

This. I’m retired and joined U3A. I made a lot of friendships and I know I can put out shoutout for lifts if needed. I’ve just stopped running a friend around for a few weeks after her knee replacement surgery meant she couldn’t drive
Bank favours, build social support network - as you get older everyone is going to need it

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