Earlier this week we learned that flip-flops could mess up your feet, and today comes another attack on the summer-friendly footwear: it might cause cancer. The news, while shocking at first, is really more straightforward that you might think. The outcry over open-toed sandals has less to with some mysterious connection between rubber, leather and sensitive skin, and more to do with that skin's increased exposure to the sun. Especially now that flip-flops -- once a common target of snakry style critics' disdain -- are becoming acceptable among celebs and the fashion elite, doctors are concerned that they'll see an increased number of foot cancer cases (and in fact, some doctors report that they already are).
%Gallery-25045%Subsequently, a group of foot physicians recently issued a warning to the public, telling newspapers that: "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."
And with that, of course, comes increased cancer risk -- particularly to an aggressive form of the disease known as "acral melanoma," which is difficult to detect as it causes no pain or discomfort.
So if you are a fan of open-toed sandals, make sure you apply sunscreen!