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A medical professional has issued a warning about a prevalent cancer type that could manifest symptoms in unexpected areas of the body. The doctor emphasized the importance of recognizing signs of skin cancer that may occur in places like the eyes or feet.
In a video shared on the popular social media app TikTok, Doctor Suraj Kukadia alerted his audience to the fact that melanomas “can surface anywhere on your body.” Melanoma is a form of skin cancer and ranks as the fifth most widespread cancer in the UK.
Data from Cancer Research UK indicates that approximately 17,600 new melanoma skin cancer cases are identified annually in the UK. This cancer originates in cells known as melanocytes.
The charity explains that these are found in the skin, the layer of tissue lining some parts of your body (mucous membrane) and the eye.
In his video, Dr Kukadia, who is better known online as Dr Sooj, said: “Melanomas can appear anywhere on your body.
“Melanomas most commonly appear on the back and legs, but rarer forms may develop within the eye, on the soles of your feet, palms of your hands, or genitals. Examine your skin for any odd changes or new formations.”
Experts at the Mayo Clinic warned that eye melanomas might be difficult to spot. But signs and symptoms of eye melanoma can include:
- Flashes of light or what look like specks of dust in a person’s vision. These are sometimes called floaters
- A growing dark spot in the colored part of the eye, called the iris
- A change in the shape of the pupil. The pupil is the dark circle at the centre of the eye
- Poor vision or blurry vision in one eye
- Not being able to see when looking to the side. This is called loss of peripheral vision
The clinic’s website advises: “Consult a healthcare provider if you experience any signs of eye melanoma. Seek urgent medical attention if you encounter abrupt alterations in your vision.”
If there is a melanoma on your hand or foot, it may be acral lentiginous melanoma. According to Cancer Research UK: “Acral lentiginous melanoma typically occurs on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.”
“It can also grow under or around the nails. It’s much more common on the feet than on the hands.”
However, this is a rare type of melanoma. Only one to three out of every 100 people diagnosed with melanoma have acral lentiginous melanoma.
Find out about the symptoms you need to watch out for and get health advice with our free health newsletter from the Daily Express
Other ways to spot melanoma
The most common sign of a melanoma is a new or changing mole. Cancer Research UK recommends using the ABCDE rule to identify a potentially cancerous mole.
- A – asymmetrical. Melanomas are likely to have an uneven shape
- B – border. Melanomas are more likely to have irregular edges (border) that are blurry or jagged
- C – colour. Melanomas are often an uneven colour and contain more than one shade
- D – diameter. Most melanomas are more than 6mm wide
- E – evolving. Melanomas might change in size, shape or colour
You might also notice the mole is:
- Bleeding
- Itching
- Becoming crusty
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should speak to your GP.
