Cancer and Your Feet

Since the year 2000, February 4 has been World Cancer Day. A day set aside to raise awareness of cancer and the ways to prevent it and encourage its detection and treatment. When you think about cancer, you might first think about some well-known forms of this potentially deadly disease, including breast cancer, lung cancer, and pancreatic cancer. But did you know that cancer can also strike on the feet? An annual appointment with an experienced podiatrist like Middlesex County podiatrists Dr. Jason Grossman and Dr. Paul A. Osemene is best to stay safe.

The doctor will ask questions about your personal and family medical history at your check-up, including any previous illnesses or surgeries and any medications you might take. They will also ask if you are experiencing any discomfort like the heel pain that often accompanies plantar fasciitis, a painful inflammation of the soft tissue that spans the sole from heel to toes. Then your doctor will conduct a thorough examination, checking your feet for anomalies such as bunions or hammertoes and skin conditions such as plantar warts and toenail fungus. 

During this final part of your examination, your doctor will carefully look for any signs of skin cancer of the foot. These symptoms commonly referred to with the mnemonic ABCDE are asymmetry, border, color, diameter, and evolving. Your podiatrist will be on the lookout for any spots on your skin that are asymmetrical, have an irregular border, are more than one color, are larger than a pencil eraser, or have changed since your last examination. 

Any of these signs may lead to a biopsy, a minor, in-office procedure in which your doctor numbs the mole and removes a tiny bit to send to a laboratory for diagnosis. In most cases, if cancerous cells are detected, foot and ankle surgery to remove the mole will be the appropriate course of action. With years of training and experience, your podiatrist is a medical specialist and the best-qualified doctor to perform this procedure. After your surgery, you can expect to have your foot in a boot or unique shoe and use crutches for a few weeks to make a complete recovery.

Are you worried about cancer on your feet, 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.