Hidden Skin Cancer Threat: Doctors Urge New Melanoma Awareness in India
What Happened
Experts say melanoma awareness campaigns in India need to change because the disease often looks very different from the image people associate with skin cancer. In Indian patients, melanoma frequently appears on the soles of the feet, beneath the nails, or in mucosal tissues, rather than on sun-exposed skin. These lesions are commonly mistaken for bruises, fungal infections, or diabetic ulcers, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Melanoma is often detected only after it has advanced, despite major improvements in cancer therapies.
Key Takeaways
Doctors are calling for greater awareness that any persistent or changing dark lesion, regardless of where it appears on the body, should be investigated promptly. Earlier detection could significantly improve outcomes, especially as modern immunotherapies and targeted treatments have transformed melanoma care. The challenge in India is no longer just treatment, but finding the disease before it becomes advanced.