Protect Feet from Harmful UV Rays
As July approaches, podiatrists Dr. Jason Grossman and Dr. Paul A. Osemene and the Advanced Feet and Ankle Care staff are preparing to mark UV Safety Awareness Month. Summer is a fun season filled with outdoor family fun, vacations, and trips to the beach. It's also a season of higher-than-usual exposure to the sun's dangerous rays. The sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays are a leading cause of melanoma and other skin cancers. The feet are as vulnerable to this disease as any other part of your body, and you need to take active steps to stay safe and healthy.
Melanoma is one of the most common and dangerous forms of skin cancer. Early detection increases the odds of successful treatment, so it is important to know how to spot melanoma. Be alert to a mole with a blue or black area, one that bleeds or oozes, or one that feels like a hard bump. Be alert to any new mole or one that changes.
Keep the acronym ABCDE in mind:
Asymmetry – Is one half of the mole different from the other? This is reason for concern.
Border – Be concerned about a mole with blurred, ragged, or irregular borders.
Color – Multiple colors within a single mole are a potential danger sign.
Diameter – If your mole is larger than the size of a pencil eraser (approximately 5mm), have it checked out.
Evolving – Have any mole that changes color, shape, or size examined by a doctor.
To protect the skin on your feet and ankles, be sure to apply sunscreen any time you're outside. Use a product with an SPF of 30 or higher and often reapply, especially after swimming or sweating. Be sure to report any suspicious moles to your podiatrist during your annual exam. Your foot doctor is a medical specialist with years of education and experience, including a hospital residency. They are the best person to examine your feet and diagnose any possible issue. If the diagnosis is skin cancer, your doctor can offer foot and ankle surgery to remove the dangerous cells.
Are you worried about skin cancer, or do you have another concern about the health and wellness of your feet, ankles, or lower legs? Call the friendly Advanced Feet and Ankle Care staff at (732) 679-4330 or click here to schedule a convenient appointment with Middlesex County podiatrists Jason Grossman, DPM, and Paul A. Osemene, DPM, in our modern, comfortable offices in Old Bridge and Sayreville today.