A sports book dealer from Surrey had a rare form of skin cancer, acral lentiginous melanoma, on his heel for seven years before it was diagnosed. He had an operation and immunotherapy and is now cancer free. Cases of malignant melanoma are rising in the UK, with an average of 19,300 cases per year between 2020 and 2022, predicted to increase to 21,300 cases this year.
A sports book dealer from Surrey had a rare form of skin cancer , acral lentiginous melanoma , on his heel for seven years before it was diagnosed.
Magnus Bowles, 57, first noticed a brown mark on the sole of his left foot, which he thought was a stain. He used an over-the-counter verruca treatment but it didn't work. He showed it to his GP who agreed it was a verruca, but after two months it hadn't improved. Magnus researched online and found that his 'verruca' looked like images of skin cancer.
He booked an urgent appointment with his GP who agreed with his assessment. Two months later biopsies confirmed his verruca was actually a malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Doctors discovered it had already spread to the lymph nodes in his groin, making it an advanced stage-three melanoma. Magnus had an operation and immunotherapy and is now cancer free.
Cases of malignant melanoma are rising in the UK, with an average of 19,300 cases per year between 2020 and 2022, predicted to increase to 21,300 cases this year. The cancer is linked to sunburn, with five or more blistering sunburns between the ages of 15 and 20 increasing the risk of melanoma by 80 per cent.
An alarming 49 per cent of British people suffer from sunburn at least once a year, rising to 65 per cent for 18 to 32-year-olds. Magnus had no idea that you could get melanoma on the base of your foot and thought melanomas started as a mole that changed over time.
He had a rare form of malignant melanoma, acral lentiginous melanoma, which typically appears on the palms, the soles of the feet or under the nails, and can look like an irregularly shaped black or brown patch. They are most common in people with darker skin. Bob Marley famously died from this type of melanoma, which appeared under his toenail, and eventually spread.
Generally this type of melanoma is slow-growing and related to genes rather than sun damage, although sun exposure can play a role. Experts warn that feet are often neglected when it comes to sun protection and checking for moles. Many people diligently apply sunscreen to their face, shoulders and legs but overlook their feet, particularly between the toes and on the soles. These areas are still vulnerable to harmful UV radiation.
Not only can skin cancers be harder to spot in these 'hidden' locations, but they're also frequently mistaken for warts, calluses, fungal infections or bruises. This delay can lead to a poorer prognosis, especially with aggressive cancers such as melanoma. People may be put off applying sunscreen on their feet because they don't want it on their sandals or because it feels uncomfortable between their toes.
Dr Angela Tewari recommends applying a minimum of SPF 30 or higher to all areas of the feet, including between the toes, the sides of the feet and the ankles
Skin Cancer Acral Lentiginous Melanoma Sun Protection Sunburn Malignant Melanoma
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