subject: Your Feet And Skin Cancer- Know How To Protect Yourself [print this page] Frequently forgotten parts of the body - your feet - are equally exposed to the sun as your face and arms and should be treated accordingly to limit sun damage. Skin cancer in the lower extremity may have a very different appearance from those arising on the rest of the body. Podiatrists are uniquely trained as lower extremity specialists to recognize and treat abnormal conditions as they present themselves on the skin of the lower legs and feet. Because of this, a podiatrist's knowledge and clinical training is of extreme importance for patients in the early detection of both benign and malignant skin tumors.
Common Attributes of Skin cancer
Some of the common attributes of cancerous lesions include:
*Asymmetry - If divided in half, the sides will not match
*Borders - They look scalloped, uneven or ragged
*Color - They may have more than one color which may be unevenly distributed
*Diameter - They can appear wider than a pencil eraser
For other types of skin cancer, look for spontaneous ulcers and non-healing sores, bumps that crack or bleed, nodules with rolled or donut shaped edges, or discrete scaly areas. If you notice a mole, bump or patch on the skin of a friend or family member that meets any of these criteria, encourage them to see a podiatrist immediately. Some of the most common cancers of the lower extremity are:
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is frequently seen on sun-exposed skin surfaces, and with feet being significantly less exposed to the sun, it occurs there less often. This form of skin cancer is one of the least aggressive cancers in the body. It will cause local damage, but only rarely spreads beyond the skin. Basal cell cancers may appear as pearly white bumps or patches which may ooze or crust being similar in appearance to an open sore.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
This type of cancer is the most common form of cancer on the skin of feet and is most often confined to the skin and do not spread, similar to basal cell carcinoma. When advanced, some can become more aggressive and spread throughout the body. Squamous cell carcinoma often begins as a small scaly bump or plaque, which may appear inflamed.
Malignant Melanoma
This is one of the deadliest skin cancers known and nonsurgical treatments are rarely effective, remaining experimental. This type of skin cancer must be detected very early to ensure patient survival. Melanomas may occur on the skin of the feet and on occasion beneath a toenail. They are found both on the soles and on the tops of your feet.
Take Proper Preventative Measures
The best way to prevent skin cancer is to avoid sunbathing and tanning salons. Sunscreen should be used frequently and before any prolonged exposure to the sun. All skin lesions should be checked and if changes are detected in a mole or skin lesion, if you are even mildly suspicious about the appearance of one, you should contact your podiatrist immediately.
People who have had melanoma once are at an increased risk for developing it again. You should watch your skin carefully and take note of any unusual marks or moles, especially ones that change in shape, size, or color. Protecting your skin from additional sun damage is very important.
