Melanomas on the Feet
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Most people don’t expect melanoma to develop on the skin of their feet, and often these cancers go undetected in their early stages when they are most treatable. At NY Foot Health, we want our patients to be proactive in the prevention and early detection of this cancer.
Who’s at Risk?
The majority of melanomas are caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun or tanning beds. In fact, the Skin Cancer Foundation reports that having just 5 bad sunburns doubles your risk for developing melanoma. Harm from UV radiation can occur during short, intense periods of exposure, or it can be cumulative from smaller amounts of damage over an extended period. There are other potential causes of skin cancer that can affect your feet. These include:
Chemical exposure
Viruses
Chronic inflammation
Genetic traits
Other factors that increase your risk of developing melanoma include fair skin with freckles, red or blond hair, and numerous moles (especially if they appear early).
What to Look For
Malignant melanomas have the unfortunate nickname of “The Great Masquerader.” It is because they can have several different appearances. They may initially resemble blood blisters, ingrown toenails, bruises, warts, or even ulcers caused by poor circulation.
Inspecting the skin on your feet regularly and your toenails are important. Melanoma can develop under the nail too. Knowing the ABCDs of melanoma will help you evaluate moles and spots on your feet:
Asymmetry—if you were to draw a line down the center of the lesion, the two sides would not be identical.
Borders--melanomas typically have uneven, jagged, or scalloped edges.
Color--although many melanomas first appear as a brown/black spot, up to a third may lack brown pigment and appear pink or red. Often melanomas are mottled, showing a few different colors.
Diameter—moles that measure more than 6 mm across (about the width of a pencil eraser) are more likely to be cancerous.
Evolving—another tipoff to potential deadly melanoma is a lesion that’s changing: a mole that starts to bleed or crack or becomes scaly is a warning sign.
If you notice any of the above symptoms in a spot on your foot or nail, it’s essential that you contact your podiatrist immediately and get it evaluated. To learn more about protecting the health of your feet, contact us and consider subscribing to our free e-newsletter. If you don’t currently have a podiatrist, consult our online directory to find one nearby.