What can the Sun do to your Feet?

We all know by now that the Sun’s UV rays can be harmful to our skin. We take many precautions to protect ourselves; limiting exposure to the sun, wear sunscreen daily, and eliminate or minimize time spent in tanning beds. If you’re like most, the part of the body that is most thought about is the face and neck. What you might be surprised by is that the Sun’s exposure on the feet and sunburns can also lead to common cancers of the lower extremity just like the skin cancer that occurs on the face.

If you’re in the habit of applying daily sunscreen to your face, take it one step further and apply it to your feet, especially if you plan on wearing flip-flops or open-toed shoes. This can help to prevent the following types of skin cancer on the feet, ankles, and legs.

Basal Cell Carcinoma: This is less common on areas of the body that are not exposed to as much sun, like feet and is one of the least aggressive cancers. This means that it rarely spreads beyond the skin.

• It looks like white bumps or patches, similar to an open sore. It may ooze or crust over.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: This is the most common form of cancer on the skin of the feet. Like Basal Cell, it typically stays on the skin and doesn’t spread much in the beginning stages. Once the cancer becomes advanced, it becomes more aggressive and spreads throughout the body.

• It can look like a small scaly inflamed bump that may crack or bleed. Sometimes it looks like a callus-like lesion, plantar war, fungal infection, or eczema.

Malignant Melanoma: This is the most deadly skin cancer, so early detection is critical. As it spreads, the more aggressive and serious it becomes because it spreads through the lymphatics and blood vessels. It is typically found on both the sole and top of the feet. Sometimes it is found underneath a toenail.

• Often called “The Great Masquerader” because it has many different appearances. It can begin as a small brown-black spot or bump OR a pink or red bump. The tumors often look like common moles so look for irregular borders, changes in color, and a diameter greater than 6mm.

Inspect your feet every day for changes. If something appears, keep an eye on it. Document when, where, and the size of the bump or spot. Make an appointment to get it checked out.


Citations:
American Podiatric Medical Association. (2012). Skin Cancers of the Feet. Retrieved from http://www.apma.org/MainMenu/Foot-Health/Brochures/Skin-Cancers-of-the-Feet.aspx

Photo by Blondiyooper. (2004). Suspicious Mole on Foot (Before). Flickr. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/blondieyooper/2476745069/