My Irish descent has given me many wonderful qualities: a great sense of humor, a positive outlook on life, and a happy demeanor. I’ve also hit the jackpot with pasty white, SPF 50 required, porcelain skin. Skin cancer runs in my family so close monitoring is essential to prevent problems. Because the issue is close to my heart, as a podiatrist, I am always on the lookout for skin cancers. It may seem hard to believe, but you CAN get cancer on your feet. It is often difficult to diagnose because a problem can be hard to see or feel.
Skin cancers are often painless but reoccurring cuts or wounds. Sometimes they appear as a freckle, a mole, or bruising in an area where no injury occurred.
This was a bruise that wouldn’t go away.
What should you look for?
Examine any unusual area using the acronym, ”ABC:” Asymmetry, Border and Color. Asymmetry means the abnormal area is not even or symmetrical in shape. The border may be irregular, lacking smooth rounded edges. It may be raised or be even with the surrounding skin. The color of the area lacks consistency; meaning it may have many different colors within the lesion. Finally, the size of the abnormal area/lesion is important. I get concerned when a lesion is bigger than 5 mm. Early detection can SAVE YOUR LIFE.
At Barking Dogs Foot and Ankle Care, we take the time to examine the skin on your feet AND lower legs. If something is suspicious, a simple in-office test can aid in early diagnosis. There is no mole too small, no freckle to light, and no concern too silly. As the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” With the summer around the corner and the Jersey shore calling your name, be sure to protect yourself with appropriate skin coverage and DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOUR FEET! To make an appointment with Dr. Pagano, DPM, contact us at 484.681.9485 or visit our website at www.barkingdogspodiatry.com.
Thank you Dr. P for the ABC lesson. I’ve now started examining all my moles using my ABC’s!