Lady who misplaced nostril from most cancers denied transplant ‘attributable to Brexit’

Only 53, Donna, from Edinburgh, has to put on a prosthetic nostril after an aggressive type of skin cancer meant her nostril required invasive surgical procedure.

“I think it looks all right from a distance but close up, people can tell,” Donna mentioned of her faux nostril.

Treatment, out there in Toulouse, France, allows a nostril to be grown on the forearm that may then be transplanted onto the face.

While Donna hoped to obtain this life-changing process, a letter despatched to her GP squashed the prospect of that occurring.

The letter, despatched to Donna’s GP by the Extra Contractual Referrals (ECT) crew of NHS Borders, mentioned: “Previously, your request would have been considered under the EU Directive.

“However, that is now not relevant for UK residents because the finalisation of Brexit.”

Reflecting back, Donna remembered the first time she went to her GP concerned about nasal pain in February 2019.

The GP’s initial suspicion was that Donna could have an ulcer, but a later biopsy revealed cancer.

“I used to be promised [the biopsy] can be completed in September, however I needed to chase them up and was advised there was no observe on their system about it,” Donna said.

“I needed to maintain phoning and an appointment was lastly supplied for the weekend of my fiftieth birthday, in October, after we had booked a visit.

“Eventually, I got the biopsy around mid-November, then the diagnosis and operation the following month.”

Donna told the Daily Record: “I can’t know whether a diagnosis six or eight months earlier might have enabled me to have earlier treatment and not lose my nose.”

About the cancellation of the nostril transplant, Donna mentioned: “I’m so disappointed.”

Donna had squamous cell carcinoma, which is the second commonest type of pores and skin most cancers, the Skin Cancer Foundation factors out.

Occurring attributable to ultraviolet radiation, indicators of squamous cell carcinoma can seem like:

• Scaly pink patches
• Open sores
• Rough, thickened or wart-like pores and skin
• Raised growths with a central despair.

At instances, squamous cell carcinoma could crust over, itch or bleed; if not handled within the earliest of phases, they’ll turn out to be disfiguring, harmful and lethal.

If you think you possibly can have squamous cell carcinoma, e book a health care provider’s appointment as quickly as doable.