Foot Skin Cancer: What You Need to Know
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and we have an important message: you can develop skin cancer anywhere on your body and that includes your feet.
But here’s the thing. Foot skin cancer looks a little different. Most times, the cancer is painless. And many people who develop skin cancer of the foot have a history of cracked feet or foot ulcers. But some have no such history. So, today, we’ll explain what causes foot cancer. Then, we’ll help you learn to identify cancerous foot growths. Finally, we’ll walk you through prevention and treatment tips to keep you safe!
Foot Skin Cancer: Causes and Symptoms
While skin cancer on the top of your foot could be caused by sun exposure, that’s not the most common trigger on your feet. Instead, most skin cancers of the feet are caused by viruses, chemical exposure, chronic inflammation or your genes.
Sadly, we often delay diagnosing foot skin cancer because you don’t regularly look at your feet. To avoid that problem, it’s crucial to learn the signs and symptoms of all the varieties of foot skin cancer.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Sun-exposure causes this cancer, but it’s less common on your feet. It’s also a less aggressive cancer, but early detection is still important. Signs of basal cell cancer include pearly white bumps or patches that look like an open sore. On your feet or lower legs, this basal cell often looks like a small tumor or ulcer.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
This is the most common skin cancer of the foot. Squamous cell carcinoma begins as a small scaly bump that looks inflamed. Sometimes, it looks more like a callus, plantar wart or fungal infection. The spots aren’t usually painful, but they are itchy.
Malignant Melanoma
This deadly skin cancer is rarely survivable—unless we catch it early on. You can develop melanomas on top of your feet, on your soles or even beneath your toenail. Unfortunately, malignant melanoma has many different warning signs. Usually, it begins as a small brown-black spot or bump. Still, about one third of cases look pink or red instead, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association.
These tumors can also look like moles, but you can recognize a malignant melanoma by learning the A, B, C, D, E method:
Asymmetry - When divided in half, the sides don't match.
Borders - Uneven, ragged or scalloped.
Color – More than one color present, with uneven distribution possible.
Diameter – The lesion is wider than a pencil eraser (about 6 mm or larger).
Evolution – If anything on the growth has changed, get it looked at.
Preventing Skin Cancer
The best way to protect yourself from skin cancer is to apply sunscreen when you’re out. You should also limit your time in the sun, and treat any skin changes right away. This rule applies to your feet and ankles as well: when you aren’t covering the delicate skin with socks and shoes, always lather up! Look for a sunscreen that has broad-spectrum protection (protects against UVA and UVB rays) with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Diagnosing and Treating Foot Skin Cancer
If you notice any unusual changes to your foot skin or nails, make an appointment with our office right away. During your foot exam, Dr. David Sullivan will identify any trouble spots, and take biopsies if necessary. (A skin biopsy is when we send a small sample of your skin lesion to a special lab where a skin pathologist can identify any cancerous cells.)
Then, if we detect skin cancer, our team will help you determine your next best steps, depending on the diagnosis. Remember, with any kind of cancer, early detection is best. So call us right away if there’s any sign of trouble on your feet!