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Original poster

Getting NHS to refer me for private skin cancer removal?

30 replies

Shopaholic88 · 14/07/2025 20:27

I’ve just found out that I’ve got a basal cell carcinoma. Even though I’ve been referred urgently to dermatology I’ve been told I’m looking at a years wait for removal.

Ive seen on the spire website that they treat nhs patients. Is it just as simple as me calling my gp and asking them to refer me to my local
spide hospital or is it only for certain conditions?

I know that BCCs are slow growing but I’m freaking out because I’ve had this many years already 🤦🏼‍♀️

OP posts:
Original poster
Shopaholic88 · 15/07/2025 16:50

SleepingisanArt · 15/07/2025 10:34

OP - I had my BCC for over a decade before having it removed and as I said it was only removed because I was damaging it when I had a cold due to its very annoying location! If you are thinking of going private you can usually find a price guide on your local Spire website.

Thank you I’m trying to be rational about it but I just keep randomly breaking down and crying and I never cry 😢

OP posts:
Original poster
Shopaholic88 · 15/07/2025 16:52

Nannyfannybanny · 15/07/2025 10:17

I had a bcc removed from my back about 5 years ago, initially thought it was an insect bite..it grew fast and itched and bled, BUT it was flesh coloured, GP thought it was an "a melanotic melanoma" 2 week emergency cancer pathway. Removed very quickly, local NHS hospital,was a bcc. A couple of years ago I had what looked like a flat red spot on my upper chest,showed it to the GP when I'm about something else.he said it was just a spot. Then it started growing,red areas/white areas and the itching! I was already seeing a private dermatologist for what turned out to be vulval eczema. Asked her to check the thing, although I knew. I'm in the SE, it cost £250 for the initial consultation,£200 for follow ups. £1000, for removal,part of that is her fee,part the hospital use, included follow up, she also removed some weird lumpy mole things at the same time with liquid nitrogen.£30 suture removal by nurse, same hospital room. This isn't a chain like "Spire or Nuffield". DH had a bcc under his lip, removed at a nearby cottage type hospital, but he had a max fax surgeon, NHS, but it suddenly became very aggressive,it was removed quickly.

Thank you fpr posting . Mine isn’t itchy and hasn’t visibly grown much in the last year so I’m hoping that’s a good sign 🤞

OP posts:
Nannyfannybanny · 17/07/2025 22:58

If you have had it for years and it hasn't changed or done the, changed shape,size, colour doesn't itch, try not to panic.. if it does do any of these things,go back to your GP,or if you can afford it,see a private dermatologist.

Peanutssuck · 17/07/2025 23:06

I had a BCC removed about 18 months ago. They're extremely slow growing. Try not to panic OP, although I know that's easier said than done.

Sofabodatgym · 18/07/2025 21:16

I'd second what others. are saying. Try not to panic, especially if you've had it for years. I had a possible BCC on my face and a wart on my head, both there for over 20 years but the wart had spread and grown bigger the last year.
I only got them checked because a doctor up close to my face when testing me for an autoimmune condition (unrelated) told me to get checked as she used to work in skin cancer! just that word, made me shake. I had to make my way home, at that point not realising there were fast and slow growing ones.
The NHS fast-tracked me, I actually wanted to watch and wait with the head thing. But they insisted. So, my advice is - if they think it's serious they'll fast-track you, if they don't, then seriously don't worry.

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