Surprising Facts About Skin Cancer

With summer right around the corner and the temperatures starting to warm up for spring, it’s time to start thinking about protection against the suns potentially harmful rays. There’s no harm in getting a little sun in when your skin is protected from exposure to UV rays, but if it’s not, you run the risk of developing skin cancer. You might be wondering how this relates to podiatry and you’re not alone! Did you know that 3-15% of skin cancer cases develop on the skin of the affected person’s foot? Considering the nature of skin cancer on the feet, those statistics might vary. Why would it vary? This is due to skin cancer on the feet having a different appearance than skin cancers arising on other parts of the body. Skin cancer on the feet is also much less painful, most often painless, and can have symptoms similar to other minor foot conditions. This makes skin cancer that develops on the feet more difficult to diagnose since its appearance and symptoms are often written off as unalarming.

When it comes to skin cancer on the feet, what should you look out for in particular?

• Borders of the worrisome spot are ragged, uneven, or scalloped in shape.

• The spot is asymmetrical, meaning that its two sides aren’t identical.

• Often times spots wider than a pencil eraser are a big cause of concern.

• Color can be a warning sign, especially if there is one or more or the colors are uneven.

• When it comes to avoiding the development of skin cancer, we have 3 quick tips:

• Avoid sunbathing and tanning salons.

• Use sunscreen regularly and correctly.

• Get abnormal lesions, moles, or spots checked ASAP.

If you see something on your feet that concerns you, Dr. Stuart Snyder and Dr. Sara Sharma at Maple Springs Foot Center is here to help. Contact us today at (301) 762-3338 or book your appointment online. at our podiatry office in Gaithersburg, Maryland.