I’m going to have a nose job that I don’t really want.

Well Jane there are worse things, I’ve already had one on the side of my nostril and you can hardly notice it.
This one, unfortunately is right on the end of my nose. Maybe I’ll get a cute dimple?

My BiL had a BCC removed from his nose earlier this year and the repair has been done so skilfully that you'd hardly notice it if it wasn't pointed out.
Years ago, my hairdresser noticed a black 'mole' on the hairline at the back of my neck and suggested I see the GP. I didn't think much about it until my sister, a GP in NZ experienced in sun damage, said the same thing- it 'might be' a melanoma; the GP said the same; the dermatologist said the same. The biopsy confirmed malignant melanoma and in no time at all, I was at Christie's outpatients having a chunk taken out of my neck. Luckily it was a very thin melanoma and hadn't spread. But the lesson I learnt was to listen to and act on advice sooner rather than later.
Pamelajl, I hope the final diagnosis has been the right one. You know your own body and you've had the same thing before. I wouldn't be concerned that you have this effect on GabriellaG54. You are not alone! She can't help being omniscient.

GabriellaG54 I’m a nurse, husband is a doctor. Over many years of practice, what you learn, is that patients who live with conditions have a much better understanding of what is going on than a medic. Sadly there is still the hangover of yesteryears when doctors were mini Gods and didn’t brook questioning of their diagnosis. I worked in sight loss for the latter part of my career and was horrified at how gun ho some consultants and junior doctors can be. One friend, a nurse I worked alongside had a daughter who was worried about a leg mole. The girl was only 19....first she had an unofficial diagnosis from the doctors we worked with...then to make sure...she had an official diagnosis at her local hospital....both gave her a clean bill of health. The girl then returned to her university placement in Berlin....at a hospital laboratory. One day a doctor there spoke to her and asked her if he could have a closer look at the mole he spied on her leg. They diagnosed a skin cancer....the worst type. She ended up with a large scar from removal and further treatment including plastic surgery. Don’t assume medics are always right.

I worked as a medical secretary in dermatology. BCC’s are not life threatening. They grow along the surface of the skin and not inward to dermal layers. SCC’s (squamous cell carcomomas) are the next level up and often require plastic surgery (not always).

The dermatologist I worked with in the NHS (he also had a thriving private practice) said malignant melanomas are more common in women on their lower legs and in men, on their backs. I often think of that when I see men sunbathing out here in Spain lying on their stomachs .... and also men then wear a T-shirt or shirt so why do they want a brown back!

Maybe it's because there is a time difference between the first and the second consultation. Early doors it looks ok just a worried well person . We're as later even a short time later it has more obvious changes.Its not necessarily that it's a right or wrong diagnosis. I would personally carry on seeking help if anything still worried me. Time can make the differance

Very good point Dragonlover

GabriellaG54

As for me being irritated to death.
I'm not under a death sentence

That is just unbelievably vile!
You should be removed from Gransnet. What a nasty evil mind you have! I am truly shocked.

Once you've got the biopsy confirming the diagnosis of BCC, then go to Spire and get your money back!

MyGP diagnosed Basal cell carcinoma referred me to NHS consultant. As it is not life threating told it would be months before it could be treated. Had it done privately bit of an ear used to mend end of nose! So pleased with result. Cost of a holiday!

I have lost several people close to me, including a sister, who have had things checked, been dismissed as being overly worried and then the cancer has spread too far to be curable.

My own children were also dismissed as having anything wrong with them when they were younger. They all have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and even now have to fight to be heard with the comorbidities they suffer.

I find quite a lot of GP's and Specialists are dismissive even when the patient is in extreme pain. One told my elderly mother that she would only be in that sort of pain for 18 months before the nerve died even though it meant she would be bed bound. I no longer have the faith in the medical profession like I used to.

Good for you for sticking to your guns PamelaJ1 and thank you for sharing this on here as it might well be helpful for someone else in a similar situation.

I am a firm believer in listening to our instincts as far as our health is concerned, and of course as you said in your case you had had this before so knew what to look for.

Yes of course doctors and consultants are medically qualified and experts in their particular field, but they are not infallible as you have proved.

I hope it goes well for you.

Pamela
Whats the difference between God and a Doctor: God knows he isn't a Doctor.

I hope it all goes well for you ?

Tigertooth
It certainly wasn't a vile remark
The OP was the person who said that I must be irritated to death.
I merely wrote that I wasn't under a death sentence (death by irritation)
In the first place I merely politely queried why the OP went beyond her GP and a 'top woman' at Spire to seek another opinion.
I didn't say she was wrong to do so.
I did wonder why, as her GP must know of her previous BCC, he didn't fast track a referral, instead, telling her it would be months.
That, if it's urgent, is irresponsible.
Naturally, as I wrote in my second comment, I hope that the biopsy proves the OP is correct in her diagnosis and the specialist at Spire is informed of her mistake in 'brushing it off' so to speak.
I also hope all goes well with whatever procedures are deemed necessary.

You made very wise choice PamelaJ. I had worries about a mark on my shoulder where I know I was once badly sunburned. As the colour of the mark deepened and grew, I went to see the GP, a locum who took a look at it and told me it's nothing. Recently when abroad staying with my DD, I decided to see a dermatologist, who pronounced it pre-cancerous and would I like her to remove it there and then? Would I??? I left her office without it. I'm now awaiting the biopsy result, but she said if I didn't get an immediate recall not to worry the result would be posted within a month.

Hope all goes well for you. Do let us know how you get on.

I think perhaps the title of your post may mislead some of us including GabriellaG54. If BCC has been confirmed then clearly you WOULD want the "nose job"

GrannyLaine,
I see what you are getting at but after the title came the explanation.

GabriellaG54

You knew exactly what you were implying -and it WAS vile.

Also, Unlike you, I hope that Op’s Latest diagnosis IS wrong and that she doesn’t have BCC.

I won’t be entering into any further conversation with you GabriellaG54.

PamelaJ1 wishing you a successful outcome. We really do need to be much more aware of the dangers of skin cancer. I lived in NZ for 20 years and they had some strong campaigns when I was there. When I returned to the UK, there was little or no interest in educating people to be more Pro active, we are waking up to it more now thank heavens. Sad that some members of the medical profession obviously still haven't and some cannot tolerate patients who are well informed and knowledgeable albeit not in possession of an actual medical qualification.

Good luck Pamela J1. I am glad you had the guts and sheer persistence to find a doctor who took your worries seriously.

I hope it turns out to be less serious than you fear, but I strongly feel you did the right thing in persisting. You are after all the one who has to live in your body.

Oh, I wish we had a ‘like’ button and a ‘dislike’’ one too! Grrrrr!

Gabby.....I have 2 friends whose GPs mis-diagnosed serious conditions. Both ladies were diagnosed with depression and sent away with anti-depressants. later one collapsed with 2 brain tumours and the other had a locum order a chest xray...she`s recently had half a lung removed due to cancer.

Doctors although qualified, DO make mistakes.

I think the GP recognised it to be a basal cell carcinoma too Gabriella and an out patient appointment for treatment can take months I did wonder why, as her GP must know of her previous BCC, he didn't fast track a referral, instead, telling her it would be months

If a GP is concerned an HSC205 referral is made from the surgery to the specialist (Highly Suspicious of Cancer).

Every hospital has reserved spaces in each out patient clinic to slot these patients in as a fast track.

I have had so many misdiagnosis from GPs over life threatening conditions it’s unbelievable....like several who thought my symptoms were anxiety when in fact I had a brain haemorrhage or telling me my 10 year old child was just tired when he had encephalitis....and my husband who had bladder cancer and was seen by numerous doctors over months before he managed to get referred to a private specialist..... I have very little trust in GP s sand even some consultants these days....quite honestly real people talking about their symptoms give you a better diagnosis .....

I too hope that you have successful treatment and make a speedy recovery PamelaJ1.
Gabriella I think your comments were a little ill thought out but I didn't think you meant to be unkind. It would be nice if people could be a less aggressive on here.

Can't believe you made that comment about a death sentence Gabriella.

Time for you to go methinks.

I have reported your post.