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Foot melanoma is the deadliest cancer, but routine foot self exams can increase early detection, survival
The next time you clip your toenails, take a closer look at the rest of your feet. An extra 60 seconds could save your life.
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Download a 60 second podcast to learn why early detection is so important for preventing malignant melanoma of the foot. |
Routine self examinations of the feet are an important way to find skin cancer early, when it’s easiest to cure. Half of the people who learn they have melanoma of the foot die within five years because the cancer had already spread throughout their body by the time it was diagnosed. But if melanoma is detected in its earliest stages, the survival rate is 92 percent after five years.
Foot and ankle surgeons recommend focusing on the three most common areas for foot melanoma: the soles, between the toes, and around or under the toenails. Melanoma can develop anywhere on the body, including areas that receive little sun exposure, such as the feet and ankles.
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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, see a doctor immediately. Those are the ABCDEs, or signs, of melanoma. You can search this Web site to find a foot and ankle surgeon close to you. We have 6,000 members nationwide.
FootPhysicians.com also has more information on malignant melanoma of the foot, including its causes, what you should look for, diagnosis, and prevention and early detection.
Page last updated: August 28, 2007