Melanoma Awareness

The first Monday in May was this week – which means it was Melanoma Monday. What is Melanoma Monday, you ask? It is a day to raise awareness of melanoma and other types of skin cancer. We encourage everyone to perform self-exams for early detection. Even your feet, which don’t see the sun all the time, are not safe from skin cancer.

Applying sunscreen all over your body, even down to those toes, is important in the prevention of skin cancer. Here are the three types:

Basal Cell Carcinoma: This type rarely spreads beyond the skin. It looks like white bumps or patches, and may ooze or crust over.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: This type typically stays on the skin in the early stages. If the cancer becomes advanced, it becomes more aggressive and can spread throughout the body. It can look like a small, scaly bump, a callus-like lesion, a plantar wart, fungal infection, or eczema.

Melanoma: This is the most serious form of skin cancer. As it spreads, it becomes aggressive and attacks other parts of the body. It can look like a small brown-black, pink or red spot. Spots can look like moles. Look for irregular borders and changes in color. This type of cancer can be found on any part of your skin, even on the bottom of your feet or under a toenail.

If you notice a change in your skin or a new spot, make an appointment with a physician so they can check it out. 

Image by Matthew Frederickson. Day 41: You haven't seen my feet yet. (2008). Flickr.