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What
if I think I might have skin cancer?/ What to look out for
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If you are worried that you might have a skin cancer, you
should go and see your family doctor (GP) as soon as possible.
Your GP will then decide whether you should be sent to see
a doctor who specialises in skin cancers.
The
Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer is a guide for
doctors who think their patient may have cancer, to ensure
that the patient is seen quickly. Information about the
guidelines can be seen by clicking here
This
gives you information about the guidelines as well as information
about skin cancers. This includes things to look out for,
and tests that may be carried out if your doctor thinks
you might have a skin cancer.
If
your GP thinks you may have squamous cell cancer or malignant
melanoma you will be referred to the hospital to be seen
urgently. This will usually mean that you are seen within
2 weeks.
If
your GP thinks you may have basal cell cancer you will be
referred to the hospital, and you will usually be seen within
6 to 8 weeks. This is because basal cell cancers grow slowly
and rarely spread.
There
are two important types of skin cancer, non-melanoma and
melanoma.
Non-melanoma
Any non-healing, weeping, scabbing or crusted sore on the
skin may be skin cancer and should be shown to your doctor.
The most common sites are the temples, the forehead, around
the eyes down the sides of the nose and on the chin.
If
you have a sore which does not heal after a couple of weeks
or which keeps breaking down you should visit your doctor.
If he/she thinks you may have skin cancer you will be sent
to see a specialist. There are several very effective, simple
treatments for these and if the diagnosis is confirmed the
specialist will be able to advise you which is most suitable
for you.
Melanoma
Nearly everyone has moles on their skin which are perfectly
safe. The smooth lumpy ones on the face or brown, warty
ones on the trunk very rarely become cancerous. The flat
brown or black ones on the trunk and limbs are the ones
to look out for, especially if they have newly appeared
or suddenly started to grow, altered in shape or colour,
itch, scab or bleed.
In
most cases these changes will not be due to skin cancer,
but you must visit your doctor urgently. He or she will
tell you if anything needs to be done and if there is any
uncertainty will refer you to a specialist.
Referral
criteria and contact procedures 
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All
urgent referrals should be faxed to the Department by the
patient's GP on 0161 276 5967 by letter or, using
the urgent
referral form , fax to the booking centre on 0161 443 0632
Clinic Days and Times
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Clinics are held in the main Out-patients department at
Manchester Royal Infirmary.Clinics are accessible by appointment
only following GP referral.
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