14/07/2025
🚨 "ATTENTION ALL PRACTITIONERS: PODIATRISTS, PHYSIOS & MASSAGE THERAPISTS!" 🚨 This is a PSA that could save a life!
The photos accompanying this post show the foot of a 70-year-old woman. Like many of us, she didn't often check the soles of her feet. And honestly, who does?
What looks like innocent brown smears were sadly overlooked by her previous podiatrist. While I'm no expert, if something looks off, always, **ALWAYS** recommend a review by a qualified skin specialist – a dermatologist.
Turns out, these painless, "harmless" discolorations were **MELANOMA**. 😱
Why Are Regular Skin Checks Your Best Defense Against Melanoma?
Living in sunny Australia, we're blessed with our outdoor lifestyle. But with that sun comes a big responsibility: protecting our skin! Australia has some of the highest rates of melanoma in the world, making regular skin checks an absolute must.
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. Here’s why early detection is EVERYTHING:
1. Early Detection is Key to Survival: Seriously, this is the biggest reason. Catching melanoma early means simpler treatment and a much higher survival rate. Delays can allow it to spread, making treatment way more complex.
2. Melanoma Can Be Tricky: Not all melanomas are "ugly duckling" moles. They can appear in all sorts of shapes, colors, and sizes – some even lack pigment, making them super hard to spot with the naked eye. Professional checks use specialized tools (like dermatoscopes!) to see what we can't.
3. You Can't See Everything! It's practically impossible to thoroughly check every inch of your own skin. That's where trained eyes come in!
For Practitioners: Your role is vital! You often see parts of the body patients don't. If in doubt, refer it out!
For Everyone Else: Make skin checks a priority, especially for those hard-to-see spots!
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Stay safe, stay vigilant! Share this post to help spread awareness!
