HOW TO DETECT ACRAL LENTIGINOUS MELANOMA?

Survival rate for melanoma is high if detected early and unlike other cancers, acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is often clearly visible on the skin. Unlike other types of melanoma, ALM develops on less sun-exposed areas, such as the soles of the feet and under your nails. ALM often begins as a black or brown discolouration on the sole of the foot or palm of the hand. It can grow into a bump and might even develop an open sore in more serious cases. 

Here are some signs that it might be ALM: 

  • It may resemble a bruise or a stain. 
  • It doesn’t go away or heal like a regular bruise. 
  • Over time, it can grow in size 
  • A spot or patch on the hands or feet that itches, bleeds, or is painful. These may be signs that the cancer is growing or spreading.

CUBED

If you notice one or more of the following below, please speak to you health care provider. When spotted early, melanoma has a cure rate of 85%. Check your skin monthly.

COLOUR

Coloured lesions where any part of the skin is a different colour

UNCERTAIN

Uncertain diagnosis or a lesion without a clear clinical diagnosis

BLEEDING

Bleeding lesions

ENLARGEMENT

Enlargement of a lesion

DELAY

Delay in healing beyond two months

CHECK YOUR SKIN MONTHLY


As you begin self-examinations it is important to visit a physician to establish a baseline for your moles, blemishes, freckles, and any other marks on your skin, so that you may begin to monitor your skin for any changes. If melanoma is found and treated early, the chances for long-term survival are excellent. However, as it progresses, melanoma becomes increasingly harder to treat and there are limited successful options for treatment.




Skin Check Tools

Learn how to conduct a skin self check, and what to look for, with our new video, or use your Alexa or Google Assistant.

A voice-activated digital assistant ‘Skin Check’ app – Available on both Amazon’s Alexa and the Google Assistant platforms, the app guides people through what to look for, and the seven steps for conducting a full-body skin exam. The assistant finished by offering to set a recurring monthly reminder for the exam. Once enabled, users can simply ask Alexa or Google: “Open Skin Check”

A skin self-exam video – Similar in scope to the app, the video covers the ABCD&E warning signs of melanoma, and the seven steps for checking the body. Pauses between the seven steps have been included in the film, so that the viewer can simply take their phone or tablet into a bathroom, hit play, and follow the instructions in real time.

Check your skin in a well lit area and ask someone to assist you in checking your skin in hard to see areas.

FRONT, BACK, LEFT & RIGHT
Examine your the front and back of your body in a mirror. Then look at your right and left sides, arms raised.

ARMS AND HANDS
Bend your elbows, and look carefully at your forearms, back of upper arms and palms. Check your fingers and under fingernails.

LEGS AND TOES
Look at the backs of your legs and feet, spaces between toes, toenails and soles.

HEAD
Examine the back of your neck and scalp with a hand mirror. Part your hair and lift to carefully check.

ABDOMEN AND BOTTOCKS
Finally, check your abdomen, back and buttocks with a hand mirror.

 

Questions?

Reach out to our Cancer Coach by contacting Contact support@melanomacanada.ca or call (905) 901-5121 ext. 108