One of our clinic owners, Mandy Buchanan from Skinn Kind in Edinburgh has shared her personal journey with us.
I first noticed what looked like a scab on my leg in 2022 it was during restricted Covid GP appointments, so I was advised to send in photos to my GP, they added me on the NHS dermatology waiting list which at the time was around a 1 year+ wait, so in meantime, I tried various creams (E45 etc) to see if it would heal.
In October 2023, I had still not been seen.
Whilst looking into skin services for my clinic in Edinburgh, I came across Map My Mole, and registered my clinic with them, as part of the onboarding process I received three free submissions. I sent the first submission for myself, of the scab on my leg.
The report from Dr Toby Nelson a consultant dermatologist and one of the founders of Map My Mole was back within an hour!
The report came back with the diagnosis of a BCC, a Basal Cell Carcinoma which is a type of skin cancer that develops in the lower layer of the epidermis (the outer most layer of the skin) BCC is the most common type of Skin Cancer.
When I received my report, I called Spire to enquire that given the diagnosis could I be seen any quicker. They advised the dermatology dept was in high demand and my appointment was the earliest available.
By this time, I had made an appointment via my private healthcare with Dr Tidman based in Edinburgh Spire Hospital. Fast forward to December 2023, and I saw Dr Tidman(a lovely caring doctor) who took a biopsy, there was no pain or discomfort, and the biopsy confirmed it was a BCC.
As Dr. Toby predicted would happen, I was then prescribed a topical prescription cream, called Aldara as the first point of treatment, and will return once the course has been completed for a review.
I found the service from Map My Mole seamless and am now delighted to be offering it to my patients and playing a part in keeping people’s skin safe.
