Scared I may have skin cancer

[worriedNC1]

I’ve named changed for this because I’ve sent this picture to my friend so if they are a user on here they can’t look at my other posts.

Anyway I’ve had this what I thought was a boil on my face since 27th November, started off like a boil but it hasn’t gone since infact it has gotten a lot worse (will attach pic)

Would I be stupid to go the GP about this? It’s on my right cheek - I’ve not picked at it I’ve not messed about with it at all.

It feels very dry but it’s not flakey - don’t know if I’d be wasting a doctors time. These pics are taken 24 hours apart so yday and today.

I’m not expecting medical advice maybe just someone to calm me down or reassure me this isn’t a waste of doctors time?

I had smallest mark on my face so didn't go specially as hate to waste doctors time. Just happened to mention it after about a year at GP for something else. Biopsy found it was basal cell skin cancer. Currently awaiting operation to cut it out and graft skin onto it so obviously it wasn't a waste of time. Is there any reason for you to expect skin cancer - in mine there was as had many years of high dose oral steroids which greatly increases the risk despite no sun bathing. However mine looked nothing like yours but there are lots of different types. Good luck

I'd see your GP, my dad has something similar (difficult to tell as photo is very close up) on his temple. He's due to have it removed some time this month and he'll only be in for a couple of hours. It's a simple procedure but like all health worries - the sooner you get it sorted the better.

Dad's is itchy and bleeds a lot - I think he scratches it in his sleep. Is it itchy?

Thanks for your replies.

I have no risk factors, I’ll try and get a picture less close up sorry for the poor quality.

It’s no itchy and hasn’t bled which i know is good it’s just the shape and different colourings that is making me panic. I’ve never used sunbeds and I don’t really go on holiday or ever sunbath and I’m relatively young (28) but it’s just getting worse and worse

I have no idea what it is but you would not be wasting a Dr's time. If it a skin cancer it needs dealing with, if it is something else that needs treatment it needs dealing with. If it is nothing you will have peace of mind. I imagine if it is nothing they may still be able to give it a name and suggest how to get rid of it. But the main thing is if it does turn out to be a kind of skin cancer the sooner you have it dealt with the smaller the scar. Please go.
I have gone before and been sent to the melanoma clinic at the RVI in Newcastle. It turned out to be nothing.

Hopefully this is better

You are definitely justified in going to the doctor, first for a diagnosis, and then to treat it. It may well be something simple, but you should check and rule out anything worse as soon as possible. Make an appointment as soon as you can.

Is it just on the surface or can you feel anything underneath it?

You know you need to go and get it looked at don't you?

I’m going to try and get an appointment first thing tomorrow.

I think it’s just on the surface, it felt ‘deeper’ yesterday I think.

Skin cancers don’t tend to evolve as quickly as whatever that is. The photos are pretty blurred so it’s impossible to really tell much (and I’m not a GP/dermatologist), but wouldn’t be too surprised if it turned out to be a fungal (+/-bacterial) infection, esp given what you’ve said about it starting out like a boil.

That’s made me feel a bit better thank you walking my sister told me I’m being dramatic but I’m glad people think I should get it checked

Yanbu and should get it checked even if it is for no other reason than it is unsightly. Factor in the cancer worry and you are definitely not BU.

You are doing the right thing by seeing your GP. Let us know how you get on. Good luck!

Thank you lulu!

Sorry basal I was so ignorant before, I hope you’re okay and wish you all the best for your surgery!

Do get it seen.

I had a basal skin cancer taken off near my eye - it had started to develop when I was about 30.

Didn’t look like that but there isn’t a regular look.

Make the appointment asap - you sound worried so best go get it seen as soon as you can.

Please go and have it checked out by your doctor. It is better to be safe than sorry. Don't listen to your sister, you are not making a fuss.

Drs are always happy to check moles.

Had an appointment this morning, I’ve been given an antibiotic cream and getting referred too just incase.

Thanks everyone for making me realise it wasn’t a waste of time.

If it doesn't heal do go back to Dr.
I had Basal Cell Carcinoma, but Dr initially diagnosed as eczema, (which I've never suffered from) I waited another three months and ended up getting second opinion, then got cancer diagnosis and had it removed. Luckily it had gotten bigger but not too much by the time it was finally removed.

You did the right thing by going. Hope the cream works. But go to the referral- best to let an expert look. They usually look under a strong light with a magnifying lens and diagnose most things immediately.

I had an appointment this week under the two week wait rule, fortunately he doesn’t believe it’s cancer - unfortunately he isn’t too sure what it is! I’ve got a follow up appointment in a few weeks.

Thanks everyone

How was your app op?