I have a spot on my face that might be a basal cell. The dermatologist is evaluating it.

Now I'm paranoid that every spot on my body is a potential cancer!

So my question is, what should I look out for? What does a typical basal cell even look like. How do I tell it from a pimple?

Good question. I am up to 7 basal cell cancers now and I really can't say any of them have looked the same!! Some have been itchy pimple like tumors that seem to grow. Others have been a patch of dry looking skin that just never seem to heal up. Not all of them itch and bleed like they say. Some have hurt more than itched etc. Strange. I wish there was an easier way of find out. My dr seems hesitant to do biopsys unless I say they itch and bleed!!

hmmm...

interesting. The spot on may face didn't itch or bleed or anything. It looked like a shiney pimple, kind of deep red. The dermatologist isn't convinced it's a basal cell, and he doesn't want to scar me by doing a biopsy. So I'm suppossed to keep an eye on it and return in 3 months.

I'm mad because I'm only 34. But I've always been bad about putting sunblock on my face, and it's been burned many times. How old were you when you got your first basal cell? Were you paranoid about your skin afterwards? The mental aspect is bothering me more than anything else!

Also, I've started wearing sun block, but my face breaks out in pimples from it. Does anyone know of a good product that doesn't make you break out? One I can use on a daily basis?

I was 27 or so when I had my first basal cell removed. I am 32 now. Yes, this has taken a toll on me emotionally. I hear others saying this is not a big deal and basal cells are curable etc. but I do not feel the same optimism. The scars bother me the most. If they could remove these from my face w/o scars I would not be as worried. I live in fear of the next "spot" on my face! My brow is pretty scarred up from the 2 mohs surgeries I have had. I am pretty sure I will have more surgeries in the same place as the type of basal cell cancer (morpheaform) I have tends to be more stubborn and is not as easily removed as others. I have heard mohs is the best way to go but if you could see my scars you might feel differently. I would not be as worried if I knew this was it and that the cancer will not show up on my nose or mid face.


I have also had several other basal cells removed by excision. All leaving nice scars. I cover these areas so I am not as concerned. I just don’t want my face cut!! I also have many moles and continue to get them removed and biopsied.

As for sun blocks I have been using Olay moisturizer every morning. They have SPF in them. I don’t go out on a sunny day w/o a hat and sun glasses. I agree though, most sun blocks break my face out so I would rather wear a hat!!

How many have you had removed?

What is the difference between MOHS surgery and excision?

I have had 5 basal cells removed. 3 more scheduled for late April. I have had 8 moles removed. Mohs is the procedure they do when the cancer is on your face. Usually the surgeon works with a pathologist on hand to assure the margins are clear. They take very small slivers until they get it all. With an excison they take extra skin from around the tumor or mole to make sure the margins are clear.

hmmm...
I'm mad because I'm only 34. But I've always been bad about putting sunblock on my face, and it's been burned many times. How old were you when you got your first basal cell? Were you paranoid about your skin afterwards? The mental aspect is bothering me more than anything else!

Also, I've started wearing sun block, but my face breaks out in pimples from it. Does anyone know of a good product that doesn't make you break out? One I can use on a daily basis?


I got my first basal cell in my early 30's. I have had many since. It bothered me at first but now it's no big deal. I think I just accepted it after a period of time.

As for the sunblock find one that is oil free. It should not clog pores or cause breakouts.

I guess I shouldn't get too worked up about it.

Rick, what sunblock do you use? Oil of Olay really isn't or guys, lol.

Rick-are they on your face? If so, after years of this what does your face look like? This is what worries me. Most scars you can hide but the face is a tough one. Just curious. I think I would feel the same if they were on my shoulders and back etc. The face seems unforgiving and looking at the scars everyday is painful.

Olay-well, it is not marketed for guys but my husband uses it for the same reason I do. You would never know. It does not have a strong scent to indicate it is a womans product........... Just a facial moisturizer with SPF.

What is the name of the lotion? Oil of Olay...?

I guess bing fair-skinned is a problem. I'm Irish and Swedish, so I'm a prime candidate for this kind of thing.

Oil of Olay-it is just the daily moisturizer with SPF

I guess I shouldn't get too worked up about it.

Rick, what sunblock do you use? Oil of Olay really isn't or guys, lol.

I use Coppertone sunblock. It says oil free on the bottle. That must make a difference because whatever I was using before made my face break out.

Rick-are they on your face? If so, after years of this what does your face look like? This is what worries me. Most scars you can hide but the face is a tough one. Just curious. I think I would feel the same if they were on my shoulders and back etc. The face seems unforgiving and looking at the scars everyday is painful.

I have had 2 on my face. I recognize them right away and get right in. Since they are not very deep the Dermatologist freezes them off. This does not cause a scar. There will be some redness there but that goes away. I have had some on my chest that has scared pretty bad. Even then I go back when it's healed and he injects it with something and within a few weeks the scar is much better. They have ways these days of minimizing scars and I am sure a good Dermatologist can help.

Rick,

what criteria do you use to recognize the basal cells? I have acne on my face, and sometimes on my shoulders. Since my suspect area looked like a pimple, I'm paranoid of everything now! I don't want to waste my dermatologist's time by running in there every time I have a pimple!