Feet and Skin Cancer: Steps For Staying Safe in the Sun

(NewsUSA) - After slathering sunblock on your face and upper body, you may feel safe and secure with the sunshine on your shoulders, but you may be neglecting to protect a potential hotbed for skin cancer: your feet.

Podiatrists say that the prevalence of melanoma on the feet may largely be a result of how easy it is for people to turn a blind eye to this part of their body. For some, the notion of protecting their feet from the sun may never even cross their minds.

"People put sunblock on their face and arms, so bad burns aren't common the way they used to be," said Dr. Arnold Ravick, a podiatrist and member of the American Podiatric Medical Association. "But people don't put sunblock on their feet, which are covered up most of the time."

When lounging around the beach or pool, the APMA suggests always keeping your feet in mind. Apply sunscreen to all surfaces of the feet, and reapply after being in the water. The APMA also cautions against walking barefoot because it exposes the feet to sunburn, as well as plantar warts, athlete's foot and ringworm.

Melanomas can develop anywhere on the foot, including underneath a toenail. They often appear as non-painful areas of pigmented skin or abnormal-looking moles.

Be sure to regularly check your feet and ankles for these kinds of spots, especially if you have a family history of melanoma. Although skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, early detection can vastly improve the chance of recovery.

So next time you're outdoors and throwing your shoes to the wind, be sure to pay close attention to the preparation and condition of your feet. Collecting sea shells is a lot more fun than collecting medical bills.

For more information about foot health, visit www.apma.org.

"Article By: NewsUSA"