What is acral melanoma? Symptoms of skin cancer on black and brown skin to look out for

Each May, the spotlight intensifies on skin cancer to boost awareness and educate those who might be unknowingly living with the condition.However, acral melanoma often misses out on the limelight, prompting Melanoma UK to highlight it in their latest Beauty Spotters campaign this year.The initiative is designed to help people spot the signs of acral melanoma, which is particularly prevalent in black and brown skin.Melanoma UK's CEO Mark Rawden said: "Beauty Spotters is our launch campaign for Melanoma Awareness Month this year.

As a charity, we are expanding our efforts beyond traditional discussions of solely sun-related skin cancers."Our focus has been sharpened around not just raising awareness but campaigning for behaviour change to increase the likelihood of melanoma being spotted amongst all people."But what is acral melanoma, and which symptoms should you keep an eye out for?

Here's what one health expert says you need to know.Acral melanoma typically manifests on the soles of the feet, palms of the hands or beneath the nails, explains Dr Ross Perry, a skin cancer specialist, GP, and medical director at Cosmedics Skin Clinics UK.He explains: "It is a relatively rare type of melanoma that can affect anyone, but is more common in people with darker skin and of Asian descent.

As with most types of skin cancer caused by UV sun exposure, acral melanoma is not related to sun exposure but often down to genetics."Unfortunately, acral melanoma, due to where it occurs, is harder to be noticed unlike a changing mole on the body and therefore it can spread far quicker and is seen as one of the more dangerous types of skin cancer, with death rates higher than any other forms of melanoma." Join the Daily Record's WhatsApp