Cancer that grows under your nail

DID you know that cancer can grow in your nail bed? Nail melanoma, or acral lentiginous melanoma, is one of the rarest forms of skin cancer, accounting for less than five per cent of melanomas – the deadliest form of skin cancer.

The disease appears as a new, singular dark streak under the nail bed, a bit like a line drawn with a felt-tip pen. It most commonly occurs on the thumb of the dominant hand, or the big toe.

The risk of developing the disease increases with excess sun exposure but experts say genetics and family history is much more likely to drive it.

Some US doctors have suggested over-use of UV lamps in nail salons could increase the risk.