Skin Cancer Removal

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 As with many cancers, skin cancer develops when damaged cells grow  uncontrollably. Most skin cell damage is caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or tanning beds. Cells may also be damaged by inherited DNA mutations or cell replication errors, or they may develop in patients  whose immune system is suppressed, such as those who received an organ transplant or were infected with the HIV virus.

Surgery is often the main treatment for cancer. You might have it on its own or together with other treatments. But surgery isn't suitable for all types of cancer, or for all situations. Whether surgery is a treatment option for you depends on many factors. 

They include:

• your cancer type
• the size of your cancer, and whether it has spread (stage)
• where the cancer is in your body
• your general health

This service caters to the removal of Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) type skin cancer. 

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer and the most frequently occurring form of all cancers. BCCs arise from abnormal, uncontrolled growth of basal cells.

Because BCCs grow slowly, most are curable and cause minimal damage when caught and treated early. Understanding BCC causes, risk factors and warning signs can help you detect them early, when they are easiest to treat and cure.

Skin cancer usually begins as a simple, painless spot, sore or rash on the skin. If that sore or rash doesn’t heal, or if the spot changes color or becomes irregular in shape, it may be skin cancer. Basal cell carcinomas on the head or neck may appear as a pale patch of skin or a waxy bump. On the chest, it may look more like a brownish scar or flesh-colored lesion. These spots may bleed or ooze and become crusty in some areas. It may be difficult to tell if a growth on the skin is a mole, a benign growth or skin cancer. That’s why it is highly recommended that suspicious or fast-growing spots be checked by a doctor. 

The ABCDE method may help you determine if an abnormal growth on your skin may be melanoma:

• Asymmetry: The mole has an irregular shape.
• Border: The edge is not smooth, but irregular or notched.
• Color: The mole has uneven shading or dark spots.
• Diameter: The spot is larger than the size of a pencil eraser.
• Evolving or Elevation: The spot is changing in size, shape or texture.

The only way to be sure if a mole is melanoma is to have it examined by a doctor.

 Most small skin cancers can be removed in a minor operation called an excision. The surgeon will remove (excise) the cancer and some normal-looking skin around it (margin). You will then have a dressing placed over the wound. The skin that was removed is checked under a microscope to make sure all the cancer has been excised.  

• Pre-Surgical Care: You will recieve a full body assessment and a list of pre-operative precautionary measures – the actions you should take before surgery to ensure the best results.
• Day of Surgery: A thorough health assessment is conducted to ensure that it is safe proceed with surgery. A qualified nurse will prepare you, and the procedure will then commence. The team will ensure your well-being and comfort throughout.
• Post-Surgical Care: Once the procedure is completed, and you are ready to go home, you will receive some guidelines of how to look after your wound.
• Follow up: If required, you will be booked in for a follow up appointment for no extra cost.
• Personalised Aftercare: Feel free to contact the team in case you face any issues or have any concerns, you will have our full support.

 You may have some  numbness, tingling and pain in the area. This is due to nerve injury and  may get better with time. Talk to your doctor or specialist nurse if  this is troubling you. Having a local anaesthetic to the middle or lower  part of your face means that you won't be able to feel anything until  it has worn off.