I have a dark brown flat patch on the top of my left foot formonths and two tiny patches on the right foot. i was told by afriend that its likely melanoma. is it true?

See doc: Many dark brown spots are ok but some are melanomas. Even experienced professionals may have trouble telling them apart. See a dermatologist.

Dermatologist: Unless your friend is a board certified dermatologist, i would not take it for granted. . You could have benign moles (nevi), some infections, as well as dermatofibromas. You need to have these examined by a dermatologist.

Any pigmented lesion: Should be examined. However, not every pigmented lesion is a melanoma. Doctors, podiatrists and dermatologists alike may use a dermascope to better study the lesion or take a biopsy if they deem it suspicious in nature. Asymmetry, irregular border color changes and diameter of lesion are all signs that are looked at.