| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| waverider |
Posted - 08/03/2009 : 23:46:37
Hi,
I'm new posting but have lurked here for some time. Like to get some opinions about attitudes of dermatologists in this country toward treatment of BCC. I had a small (< 1cm ) pink/red patch on the back my scalp for 2+ years, getting a little scab now and then. Now diagnosed as BCC. The derm also found another tiny, almost invisible, patch about 3 inches away which appears to be another just getting born (I agree). The opinion of the Dr was that I needed to let him do excision on the larger one + scrape the tiny one IMMEDIATELY. No need to wait for anything, do not waste time investigating/considering alternatives, do not seek other treatments, etc etc. Basically turn on the lights and sirens and rush to the knife. I have some doubts about whether I really must be in such a headlong hurry about this. I want to spend some time investigating alternative treatments. I've already gathered some good intelligence in the Topical Treatments section and would like to pursue it. Yet, in the back of my head I have this gnawing feeling (and it's NOT the BCC!) like, "If the Dr says hurry and get it cut out, I'd better do it without delay or second thought." I also have that deeply ingrained idea that you should never go against Dr's orders. So ....?
This was recently made more interesting by an experience in France. I was over there for work-related project for 2 months. During this time, I decided to get an opinion of a French derm re this, for the heck of it. His attitude was very different. He just shrugged (in the French way) and told me, exact quote: "It's no great emergency. Just get it done sometime when its convenient."
I figure, I've already been carrying this thing around and monitoring it for over 2 years, during which time it's scarcely gotten any bigger (even my American derm agreed that it was a very slow, indolent variety) So ... what's the harm if I take a few months and consider other alternatives vs going under the knife ASAP?
I wonder if anyone thinks that the difference in attitudes ("do it NOW" vs "no great emergency") between the US and the French derm might be related to the profit motive? I have very high deductible and most/all of this would be cold cash right out of my own pocket and into the dermatologists.
And, has anyone else who wished to investigate alternatives ever gotten the feeling that they were being "stampeded" into an immediate procedure instead by their dermatologist?
I'd appreciate any opinions/experiences you might have. Thanks ..... |
| 4 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| BlondeAmbition3 |
Posted - 09/20/2009 : 23:52:14
You're much braver than me waverider... as long as I believe there's ANY Cancer in my body I want it OUT! Cancer is an insidious and ravenous disease that can't be trusted. I wish you luck in the meantime and by all means keep us posted. |
| Rose Petal |
Posted - 09/17/2009 : 09:46:07
waverider:
Your comments are interesting and insightful. I had SCC on my nasal tip and the doctor's office was DEFINITELY pushing surgery on me. I am not saying they were wrong, it is just I wanted some time to think. The med. assistant even stated, "if it gets into your system, there is nothing we can do."
In your case, BCC grows a lot slower. I really don't understand the rush and panic.
I am thoroughly glad I researched the Internet and found an alternative treatment for my cancer. MANY skin cancers grow back in the scar tissue after Mohs surgery. I DO NOT want to spend the rest of my life visiting a doctor all the time.
I hope you find a solution that works for you. |
| waverider |
Posted - 08/12/2009 : 15:52:35
Thanks for the reply. That's pretty much been my experience. It's just the irony that it takes longer to get in to see a dermatologist than almost any other specialist -- 1 to 2 months is common -- then they tell you to hurry up and do something immediately, on the spot. It's too bad dermatology got mixed up with all the cosmetic stuff as that's who gets priority in most of these offices. There should be a separate specialty for skin diseases so you're not waiting behind a bunch of people paying out of pocket for big-ticket cosmetic procedures. |
| RidgebackDogs |
Posted - 08/05/2009 : 21:12:16
Hi!
Some derms i have gone to have been a bigger hurry to cut out the cancers than others. i have tried to talk to them all about alternatives and all but one pretty much ignored me. This time with the spot i have i am going to let the biopsy heal a bit and then probably try something topical on it. This dr did say he wanted to see me back in 3 mos. to follow up on it so at least he listened to me somewhat which makes me think he is not so profit driven.
But heck the way things are with their malpractice insurance premiums, filing forms for the government (medicare/medicaid) and the people they need to do this and run the office - i think alot of them may have a more difficult time now than 10-15 years ago. I notice alot of drs that used to be in private practice are now working for hospitals in groups not on their own including some groups that seemed to be well established and busy. There have been quite a few that have gone that way around where i am at. It's sad. Also disturbing i am sure not only to us but to those in the medical type jobs is the looming threat of national health care that may soon be forced on everyone!!!! That will NOT improve medical care for anyone but will give the government the say-so of who gets treated when and where and how. I am sure the government is also planning on telling drs & other health care providers what they will be making as salaries. And if these democrats in congress pass this nasty bill and we are all forced into government run health care who will we be able to complain to if there's a problem? Some government agency??? good luck with that!!!!!
Sorry, i digressed.
Maybe the motive is to try and give you the best advice he has - there is on the link below a pdf you can download which is an article talking about the trends in malpractice suits and premiums for dermatologists - it was rather interesting imo. i think we have been struggling with healthcare problems in this country ever since medicare and fed gov started competing with the average consumer (and their private healthcare insurance) for buying medical care -
http://jmsr.org/index.php/journal/article/viewPDFInterstitial/14/33 |
|
|
