Nhs Problems

[Caran]

A week or so ago I went to doctors, I have an open sore on the back of my left hand. It will not heal, have had it for 18 months or more. I ignored it until I had pains in my hand and arm.
Doctor thinks it is cancerous. He is referring me to a dermatologist.

[puzzled54]

To be fair to the nhs, I recently sent a photo and spoke to a doctor about a strange patch of skin on my hand. She sent the photo to dermatology, they phoned and made an appointment to see me 6 days later. I was lucky, it was nothing to worry about, but the dermatologist did feel under my armpit, presumably looking for swollen lymph glands. Caran, can you feel anything there? If so, go back to gp.

[Sqad]

Just re-read the rather complicated post and you have an appt for July.
It is a long time to wait but it isn't necessarily cancer and if it is, then it is almost certainly what is known as a squamous cell carcinoma which is slow growing and spread is uncommon.
If you can afford it, then go private, if you can't then no harm will come waiting until July.

[Milo2]

I had a similar problem. I had a biopsy and it turned out to be sun damage that was treated with a gel so not necessarily cancerous.