According to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, routine self-exams of your feet are very important to find skin cancer early, including melanoma. If melanoma is detected in the early stages, 92 percent of patients survive five years. Melanoma can develop anywhere on the body, including areas that receive little sun exposure, such as the feet and ankles.However, half of the people who learn they have melanoma of the foot die within five years, because of the cancer's spread by the time of diagnosis.
Foot and ankle surgeons recommend focusing on the most common places for foot melanoma: the soles, between the toes and around or under the toenails.
If a mole, freckle or spot starts to change over the course of a month and becomes asymmetrical or changes its border, color, diameter or elevation (known as the ABCDEs of melanoma), see a doctor immediately.
1. My melanoma was discoverd by my pedicurist. It did not have any pigment, nor did it look like your run of the mill melanoma.Located at the pad of the foot, near the third and forth toe.It took me 4 months to realize it wasnt a wart or corn. 2 surgeries later, walking is still uncomfortable, but nodes are clear and no need for chemo..Rock on
Posted at 8:10PM on Oct 16th 2007 by Woody