A question - Cancer: Skin Message Board

chigs489 · 03-30-2004, 01:07 PM

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?

motherchuck · 03-30-2004, 02:10 PM

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!!

chigs489 · 03-31-2004, 11:01 AM

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?

motherchuck · 03-31-2004, 11:26 AM

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!!

chigs489 · 03-31-2004, 11:52 AM

How many have you had removed?

What is the difference between MOHS surgery and excision?