i have a history of skin cancer with Malignant Melanoma 9 yrs ago and basal cell carcinoma very recently.
The follow up appointment after the removal of the BCC I was rushed and pushed out of the room when I asked the specialist to look at some skin lesions I was worried about.
First they complained that I had make up on which made it difficult to examine me. I asked for some alcoholic wipes and they looked around the room and replied: "We don't have any" and just stood there.
So I took a paper towel and ran it under the tap and scrubbed my face were the lesions were.
They quickly looked through their magnifying glass device and told me they were Flat Warts that would become more obvious and irritating with age. I explained they itched and the specialist shrugged.
I had other moles and lesions I wanted them to look at but they made me feel like I was annoying them or stopping them from enjoying a coffee break. So I left feeling like I would only anger them if i pushed for them to look at the other lesions.
They told me I would not be discharged and seen again in 2 months but I have not had any letters since then.
I have had to go through the system again and try to get an urgent referral appointment as my anxiety over the lesions is intense.
And I am currently on hold on the telephone for 45 minutes remaining as "Number one on the list" for 25 of those minutes trying to speak to dermatology booking to see if I can be seen soon.
I also asked about Mole Mapping and they told me "If everyone who came through these doors had mole mapping the department would grind to a halt"
But with my 2 skin cancer history, I don't consider myself as "everyone"
When I was diagnosed with Malignant Melanoma, I had been sent home from the hospital by a specialist that told me only a small % of moles turn malignant.
18 months later I went back through the referral system as the mole started to itch.
They did a biopsy and told me I had stage II Malignant Melanoma.
In my experience you can never 100% put your life an another doctors hands.. you have to fight and insist if something is worrying you, Had my MM been more aggressive I would be dead now thanks to that specialist that dismissed my signs and sun bed history with red hair and pale skin.
"Rushed by Specialist follow-up appt for Skin..."
About: Royal Blackburn Hospital Royal Blackburn Hospital Blackburn BB2 3HH
Posted via nhs.uk
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