Today is Melanoma Monday! So what is this you ask?
Melanoma Monday is a day to bring skin cancer awareness to
mind. It reminds each of us the danger of exposed skin to the sun without
protection. One part of the body that is often neglected is your feet.
We wear the coolest of shoes and cutest of sandals and slather sunscreen to our face, arms and legs and for some reason stop
application at the ankles! Skin cancer of the feet is one of the deadliest
forms of cancer – basically because the feet are not monitored as other parts
of the body.
There are three common areas for foot melanoma: the soles,
between the toes and around or under toenails. Any exposed skin needs
protection from the sun and to reapply with in the manufactured recommended
time frame. If a mole, freckle or spot is present and shape changes over the
course of a month such as color, diameter, elevation or becomes asymmetrical,
see your Podiatrist immediately.
Self-exams of your feet are a great line of defense along
with regular use of sunscreen. Finding changes in the skin early easiest to
cure. Fifty percent of those who learn they have melanoma of the foot die
within five years because the cancer had already spread throughout their body
by the time it was diagnosed.
So Happy Melanoma Monday and celebrate by inspecting your
feet. It could very well save your life!
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