| May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, | | | | like a bruised toenail would), the soles, and in |
| and while you would not think that you can get | | | | between the toes. |
| skin cancer on your feet, it is a possibility. | | | | Remember to look for the ABCDE's of skin |
| Lathering up your feet is just as important as | | | | cancer: |
| lathering up your legs, arms, and face. | | | | A: Asymmetry: one half of the area is different |
| Checking your feet is a good way for early | | | | than the other area. |
| detection of skin cancer. If an irregular shaped | | | | B: Border: the edge, or border of the spot is |
| spot appears on your foot, check the rest of | | | | irregular. |
| your body. Nearly half of the people who have a | | | | C: Color: a mix of colors rather than one solid |
| melanoma on their foot die within five years | | | | color. |
| because the cancer had spread throughout their | | | | D: Diameter: a spot that continues to grow, or is |
| body. Early detection is KEY! Just because the | | | | large than five millimeters. |
| spot does not hurt does not mean that it could | | | | E: Elevation: the mole has a raised edge. |
| potentially be a form of skin cancer. | | | | If you find a mole or spot that fits one or more |
| More than half of the cases of skin cancer on the | | | | of these criteria, you should seek the advice of a |
| foot occur in blacks, but people with fair skin, or | | | | podiatrist for moles and spots on the foot. For |
| skin that freckles are also prone to skin cancer. If | | | | other areas of the body you should visit a |
| you have had blistering sunburns or many moles | | | | dermatologist. A podiatrist will ask you if the area |
| before the age of eighteen, you are a likely | | | | has changed in the recent past. If the spot looks |
| candidate as well. | | | | like it needs further examination, a podiatrist will |
| Melanomas are the deadliest of skin cancers and | | | | perform a biopsy. |
| can be found on any part of your foot or ankle. | | | | Prevention techniques include wearing water shoes |
| This type of cancer begins in the cells that | | | | or socks while outside or in the water. Remember |
| produce pigmentation. It is known for spreading to | | | | that flip-flops do not count! Remove nail polish |
| other parts of the body. | | | | occasionally to see if there are any unusual areas |
| There are three key areas to which you should | | | | on or under your toenails. Apply sun screen to |
| pay attention on your feet: around and under the | | | | your feet. |
| toenails (a spot that does not go away with time, | | | | |