Flip-flops linked to skin cancer

Specialists say that wearing open-toed footwear can increase the chance of getting lesions as the skin becomes exposed to intense sunlight, a key cause of skin tumours, or melanomas.

Cancer that affects the feet is known as "acral melanoma" and typically occurs on the sole of the foot, between the toes or under the toenails.

Research shows that only half of patients with foot melanomas survive, compared with four out of five people who develop cancer elsewhere on their legs.

Doctors advice applying factor 15 sunscreen or above to feet, including the soles.

One clinic has seen at least two patients with sun-related foot cancer in the past three months.

Anthony Kontos, head of the clinic at the Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth, said patients often mistook skin cancer on the feet for bruising.

The podiatric surgeon said: "With the increasing popularity of open-toed sandals and flip-flops, feet often have a sudden blast of intense sunlight.

"Our feet are enclosed in shoes most of the year and then we pack our sandals for a holiday in very hot temperatures. This means feet are particularly susceptible to sunburn.

"People are generally aware of checking other parts of their body for suspicious moles but they're unlikely to examine their feet" he added

Exposure to sun in childhood is the biggest risk factor for melanomas.

Initial discomfort is hard to spot and is often diagnosed at a late stage which by then has spread to other parts of the body.

A British Skin Foundation spokesman said: "The fact is that all types of skin cancer are on the rise.

"Women especially are susceptible because any lotion applied to the bridge of the foot gets rubbed off by sandals."