Skin Cancer Awareness for People of Color: Early Detection Saves Lives

Skin cancer is a condition that transcends skin tones, affecting individuals of every color. However, there are essential factors to understand:

 

 

 

People of Color and Late Diagnosis

  • Individuals with darker skin tones are often diagnosed at later stages, making treatment more challenging.

Skin Cancer Affects Everyone

  • All individuals, regardless of their skin type, can develop skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

Disparities in Survival Rates

  • Black patients diagnosed with melanoma have a lower estimated five-year survival rate of 67 percent, compared to 92 percent for whites.

Skin Cancer in Diverse Communities

  • Skin cancer represents varying percentages of all cancers among different racial and ethnic groups: 1-2% in Black people, 2-4% in Asians, and 4-5% in Hispanics.

Unique Melanoma Patterns

  • Melanoma in people of color often appears on areas with minimal sun exposure, such as the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and nail areas.

Later-Stage Diagnoses

  • African Americans are three times more likely to receive a late-stage melanoma diagnosis compared to their white counterparts.

Skin Cancer Locations

  • In non-whites, the most common site of skin cancer is often the plantar (sole) portion of the foot, accounting for 30-40% of cases.

Prevalence of Squamous Cell Carcinoma

  • Squamous cell carcinoma is the most frequent skin cancer in Black individuals.

Acral Lentiginous Melanoma (ALM)*

  • People of color have higher percentages of acral lentiginous melanoma, an aggressive and malignant cutaneous tumor often found on the palms, soles, and fingers.
Comprehensive Skin Examinations
  • Monthly self-examinations of the skin should include less commonly inspected areas like the soles of the feet, palms, toenail and fingernail beds, and genital regions.
  • A full-body examination should be conducted annually, especially if any unusual, new, or changing skin conditions are noted, including non-healing sores, particularly in individuals with skin of color.

Understanding these facts is essential to ensure early detection, timely treatment, and improved outcomes for all individuals, regardless of their skin tone.

     

    *Bob Marley was diagnosed with acral lentiginous melanoma; he died as a result of the illness in 1981.