Towards the end of last year, I was diagnosed with a Squamous Cell Carcinoma (skin cancer) on my nose.
As it was still in the very early stages, I was prescribed a topical chemotherapy cream – Efudix – rather than surgery.
I was warned that my skin would blister and look terrible over the six weeks of treatment, but that this was a good thing as it meant it was working.
So here are the pictures of before, during, and after my Efudix treatment … as I wasn’t able to wear makeup, they are not the most flattering of photos, so be kind 😉 !
It doesn’t look like much, but that slightly darkened patch was a skin cancer
The dermatologist took this picture to show me how far I needed to apply the cream, around the biopsy site.
Five days after starting treatment, and I was wondering what all the fuss was about!
At the three week point
By 3 1/2 weeks, it was raw and sore
After six weeks of treatment it was looking pretty nasty, but with the help of a steroid cream it healed up really quickly …
Just over a week later and you can barely see it!
Ten weeks after finishing treatment – skin cancer? What skin cancer?!
I experienced some mild side effects from using the chemotherapy cream Efudix – my nails have become terribly brittle and weak (worse than normal!), and I do feel I’m losing more hair than usual, but nothing major.
I got off quite lightly really. In November, the hubster was diagnosed with Basal Cell Carcinoma on his ear, and he had surgery – including a skin graft – to remove it, early in January.
Fortunately both of us have now been given the all clear – for now. We have both been advised to have skin checks every three months for the next little while … although we should seek medical advice earlier if we notice any changes in our skin.
I hope that by sharing my story, and the not very flattering pictures of my Efudix treatment, that I can help others to recognise and seek treatment for skin cancer!
Have you had any experiences with skin cancer?!
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