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Melanoma & Skin Cancer support: Introduce yourself and connect
Melanoma & Skin Cancer | Last Active: May 20 3:20pm | Replies (59)Comment receiving replies
Thank You! I have read a lot of information from various sites, including the Skin Cancer Foundation, Mayo and Cleveland Clinics.
I first noticed a small spot on my left torso. I thought it was a bug bite at first and kept an eye on the red, itchy spot. I kept watch for a few months, then it went away. Last May, (2024), I noticed a place on my shoulder. I monitored it for a few months, then wondered if it might be cancer. I called a dermatologist on October 17, 2024. I was not seen until May 6, 2025. I was examined and had a biopsy taken, (Shaved the top layer). My biopsy came back positive for BCC. I am now waiting an additional 3 months to have surgery. Is this normal? I keep seeing, "if treated early". What does that mean? I have no concept of what is "early enough". Just confused about treatment options and how early is really "early enough".
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Many wait times for appointments are absurd, especially if a referral is involved. Last year, I had something going on with my pancreas. One of my fears for many years is that I would die of pancreatic cancer. Anyway, my PCP gave me a referral to a gastroenterologist, and it was a several month wait for the appointment. I kind of went ballistic, settled down and messaged the PCP and asked if he could mark the referral as URGENT (for my peace of mind). He did. I had an appointment within a week. Sometimes it pays to not just accept what you're dealt. In my case, it turned out to be a bunch of cysts on my pancreas which, apparently, aren't all that serious.