Do’s and Don’ts for Preventing Skin Cancer on Your Feet
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. With summer rapidly approaching, we at NY Foot Health believe this is an excellent opportunity to share some information with our patients regarding this disease and your feet. Skin cancers on the feet are often discovered when an unrelated problem on the foot is being treated near the site of a cancerous lesion. Many people don’t consider their feet a likely site for cancer. Below are some tips for preventing and detecting skin cancers on the feet in their early stages when they are most successfully treated:
DO: Be aware the skin on your feet needs protection from the sun, just like the skin on the rest of your body. Whenever your feet are exposed—at the beach or pool, or when wearing sandals or other open shoe styles outside—you should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15.
DON’T: Use tanning beds, ever! And don’t allow teenagers to use them. Studies show that even one tanning session before the age of 35 can increase the chances of melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) by 75%.
DO: Recognize what skin cancer on the feet may look like. There are three main types of skin cancer: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and Melanoma. Most of the time, a cancerous lesion is painless, and frequently there is a history of recurring cracking or bleeding of the ulceration. Use the ABCDE method to remember the types of changes to watch for: Asymmetry, Borders that are uneven, Colors, multiple instead of one solid, Diameter larger than 6 mm (pencil eraser size) and Evolving or changes occurring in an existing freckle or mole are all potential signs of skin cancer.
DON’T: Fall for the myth that you can’t have skin cancer on your feet because you never expose them to the sun. There are other causes of skin cancer that may develop in the feet. These include inherited predisposition, exposure to harmful chemicals, chronic inflammation, or a virus.
DO: Inspect the skin on the tops and bottoms of your feet, between your toes, and under your toenails regularly. If you notice anything concerning, bring it to the attention of your podiatrist. Don’t currently have a podiatrist? Use our online directory to locate one near you. To learn more ways to be proactive in caring for your feet, contact us and consider subscribing to our free e-newsletter.