I’ve had 5 now. Am 62. Never liked the sun, never sunbathed. Take high dose vit D due to lack of sun🙄. I only got burnt in sun once aged around 9, so believe that may be contributing
always wear sleeves, hat etc now
so 3 removed in one go from under eye/ cheek- long 2 inch scar as done by traditional method. Luckily it is just along line of my glasses, but in 8 years since it was done, it has faded. I had to work hard post op once stitches removed to manipulate and massage a scar lump away- but it did reduce well in the end. I waited 8 weeks post seeing plastics for op, and that was pre Covid and mega long waiting lists
1 on my scalp- good spot ms hairdresser! Needed skin graft so a bit more serious - again healed well
last one earlier this year. Below nose on lip. Had it removed under MOHs approach. Bloody brilliant experience. Can’t see it at all, even without makeup. However, wait list for MOHS was 72 weeks! Luckily I had BUPA and the same nhs hospital run a private clinic specifically on a Saturday , so had it done in 4 weeks . Win for nhs and me. MOHs surgery usually restricted to T-zone risk areas unless bcc advanced
and there’s the thing. If it’s confirmed as BCC by dermatologist, you’ll be on long wait list for surgery. You’ll need plastics possibly and then you’re up against all the other patients with other skin cancers that are life threatening, and burns victims etc. . BCCs are extremely rarely fatal, they grow slowly. Yep, you do need surgery to remove BCC, as left a long time they can cause major disfigurement- but we’re talking years.
the urgent referral is to confirm diagnosis. Then you’ll have a long wait. Frustrating but not a risk. Take photos regularly now ( monthly) and if sudden changes go back to Gp to ask for advice. Mine looked like yours to start ( shiny lump), then became a bit of volcano shape ( top dimples) , then would bleed if knocked or even during washing.
the op is fine. Day case. Local - which can be painful if on face, but ok . Then whole incision takes a few mins unless skin graft. Stitches can take another 15 mins or so. Then done and home with numb face! Painkillers needed once local wears off . Biggest hassle is not being able to get face wet for 10 days- you get very creative on how to wash your hair 😉🤣
don’t scare yourself in looking up goggle catastrophes. BCCs are common, and almost always completely cured by simple surgery.
yep, if like me , you have that sort of skin type, there s a higher chance you’ll get more so you’ll need to be diligent in checking going forwards. But even with scars I have, I don’t worry about that. I keep checking, take photos of lumps and bumps and head to Gp with anything that looking odd. There’s creams you can now be prescribed to action early stage ( not usable on face though I think),
you’ll be fine!