BCC referral advice/experiences

[H2023]

Around 2.5 years ago I noticed a lesion on my side as it itched, it’s not somewhere that ever sees the sun - I asked GP and they asked for photos but then said it’s nothing to worry about. It’s still not gone away and is more itchy and sometimes painful so I went to boots and had one of their checks, they called the next day to say it appears to be BCC and strongly advise to get a GP referral to dermatology. Does anyone have any experience of this? Or any advice on private wait times, cost and process? I’m 35 and I know it’s not urgent and probably won’t be considered so as it’s not on my face or anything but I’m conscious it’s already been there for 3+ years. Thank you

Sorry to near this, it's always a worry. A private dermatologist near me cost 250 for the initial exam then another 500 to have it removed, it was cut out and stitched, I waited about 3 weeks in total. Where abouts are you. You can look up private dermatologist in your area, read up about each doctors speciality and book yourself in, you don't need a GP referral.

Thank you for sharing, that’s reasonable and pleased you didn’t have to wait long. I’m near Norwich so I will definitely look into that, thank you

I have just been referred to the hospital for my 5th BCC removal. My arm this time, I have had 4 on my face. I have always been seen at the hospital under the 2 week rule so I would advise returning to the gp before going private.

Look up your local private hospitals, bupa, Nuffield, they will list dermatology and you just call them. Some may offer a biopsy same day, it was not too bad, local anasetic, sutured which were removed by the GP nurse and a follow up with the GP just to check healing. Good luck.

DM has recently been referred by gp, had initial assessment within a few days, referral within a week, is having it removed on Monday. So less than 3 weeks in total.

I have had one for two years. Got referred by GP in May, they don't do it under the 2 week wait in our area any more as it is deemed non life threatening. I had a dermatologist appointment a month ago and am now waiting for it to be removed.

You can check the waiting times for dermatology local to you at www.myplannedcare.nhs.uk/

I would go via your GP and ask for a referral under the 2 week pathway. No one at Boots can tell you it’s a BCC. You need a dermatologist to look at it with a dermascope. Even under the dermascope, they thought mine was a SCC. They still took it off urgently because of the location and how fast it was growing. It turned out to be melanoma and had already spread to my lymph nodes and was stage 3. No one (except my excellent GP) thought it was anything urgent, but I’m very grateful I pushed to be seen.

I was referred to plastic surgery for my bcc, it was on my face. Had it removed about 6 months ago and now can hardly see the scar.
It started off very small, almost pearl like then developed into a sore that wouldn’t heal, I was pleased to have it removed.

I would go to the GP and try the NHS route first, mine took about 4 months to removal. I would check that link that @becks571 posted for your local hospital. If you do decide to go privately because it's on your side, I would think it would be a fairly simple excision so probably not as expensive as something on your face that may require MOHs surgery. I had a fairly large excision on my leg which took about 20 minutes.

I also had another one which was just dry scaly and itchy that had been there for 2 or 3 years which was treated with Efudix cream, but that is just generally for the flat dry skin looking ones that aren't nodular.

Except it got cancelled first thing on the day and now has another two week wait…

I’m on a list for MOHs surgery for a BCC and small tumour on my nose in February. By the time it happens I will have waited 11 months.
I had a BCC removed from my arm last year and waited 5 months for that.

I had the same. A lesion on my side that would itch and bleed and then fade to a small lump, then come back again. I had it for about two years and then got nagged into having it checked out.

The GP gave me some cream, which didn’t work. I went back and was referred under the two week pathway. I was seen at a clinic pretty quickly where it was photographed. The report stated it was a suspected BCC. This is where the care under the NHS fell down. I was told there was a 13 month wait to see a dermatologist! I complained via PALS and the hospital and, miraculously, they found me an appointment within three weeks. I saw the dermatology consultant who told me it was a mole. I disagreed and asked for it to be removed. She agreed to remove it. I then had that appointment at a local clinic within 2/3 weeks. Turns out it was a BCC. I’m glad I didn’t listen to the consultant.

Try the NHS pathway first. You may have more success depending on your hospital trust. To go private would have been over £1,000. It was painless having it removed and I had five stitches. I have a small scar now.