Skin cancer of the feet is very rare. But since feet are generally very neglected to daily inspection, a cancerous lesion can be missed.
Like most skin cancers, they arise mostly from exposure to the sun. Many people who use sun screen miss putting protection on their feet specifically the bottoms. Constant sun exposure kills skin cells damaging the DNA setting up the possibility of a melanoma.
Skin cancer is a tumor of the melanocytes in the skin. While they can arise from moles and 'birth marks' called nevi, again it occurs mainly in sun exposed areas. Melanoma generally occurs in the 4th - 7th decade of life (30's - 60's) and occurs more frequently in fairer skinned individuals.
How can you spot a possible melanoma? Here are a few pointers:
Remember your ABC's...
Asymmetrical - the edges of the spot are irregular.
Borders - again are irregular and notched.
Color - spots are multicolored (pink, purple, white, gray, tan, black, blue or brown).
Diameter - greater than 6 mm or a little more the 1/4 of an inch. (Generally the width of a pencil eraser).
Elevation - the spot is generally elevated as compared to the skin next to it.
Also be aware of any spot that has changed in appearance recently and rapidly.
If you have any concerns about a spot on your calf, ankle or foot make an appointment with your local podiatrist immediately. It is better to be safe than sorry.
"The journey of life is taken one step at a time... none of them should be painful." G.M. Barclay, DPM, AACFAS
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