Hi all,
I'm New to this page and just searching for some help and advice please as I know very little abouts Cancer and I feel abit lost.
I visited my doctor last summer as I have around 7 "red spots" on my face which have been there for quite a few years (probably around 6 years).
It's taken quite some time to get me through the NHS system but on Tuesday 18th January this week, I finally had an appointment to see a dertmatologist in hospital who has said the red spots are sun damaged Actninic Keratosis and I have been given Efudix cream to use for 28 days applying once a day.
I also have 1 small area on the back of my neck that the doctor says could be a Basal Cell Carcinoma - he informed I will wait another 6 weeks times for this and should get another appointment for a biopsy on this, and then a recommendation for treatment.
At the time I was totally upset and after checking the internet saw all the negatives photos of efudix appearance etc and I was thinking worse case scenarios about cancer.
Im now on day 5 of using the Efudix cream on my face, it's not too bad at the moment although the red spots / lesions do appear redder which I believe is a good thing as the cream must be working. I'm also prepared for my whole face turn very red and painful if it takes hold strongly.
Now that I have time to get my head around things I have a few questions I would like to know if anyone can help please.
Q - I’m happy to continue using the Efudix cream as prescribed on my face lesions, however if I wish to speed things up, can I look to search private company’s to address this potential BCC on my neck - and if I do will it be addressed much faster than the NHS timeframe of 6 weeks for the biopsy they have booked on my potential BCC
Q - What is an approximate cost for a private inspection and treatment on 1 potential BCC (approx 4cm long)
Q - Is it even worth going private for a potential BCC that is already booked in for around 6 weeks time or should I just hold out for the NHS hospital visit.
Q - I also have 1 other small pink blister like bubble, doesn’t hurt but it's on my shoulder that I would like them to look at which has never been discussed previously.
If I did go private could this be checked out under 1 treatment with the 1 on my neck or would this be additional financial costs.
Sorry for so many questions just had a really difficult week as nobody in my family has had Cancer before and I don’t know many friends that have either.