Skin Cancer is Colorblind

It may come as a shock, but Black folks get skin cancer too. We have just assumed that people of color are OK in the sun and many people of color often mistakenly believe skin cancer is not something they should be worried about. But dermatologists are concerned because skin cancer rates are increasing in minority groups in the United States. .

Darker-skinned people do benefit from the protective effects of skin pigmentation. Some studies suggest that for the darkest skin tones, pigmentation cells provide a natural sun protection factor, or SPF, of about 13. The problem is many dark-skinned people believe that means they are born with a natural immunity to skin cancer. Pigmentation doesn't give you a free pass. It doesn't matter what color your skin is, everyone can get skin cancer. Bob Marley, for example, died of malignant melanoma, the most lethal type of skin cancer, that spread to his lungs and brain.

All types of skin cancer are increasing among Blacks and Hispanics, and our melanomas are more often fatal because they are usually caught later. Pigmentation may have sun-protective qualities but even for the darkest skin it falls short of the recommendation of a daily SPF of at least 15 for everyone. Many ethnic groups are missing that key part of the message because messages regarding skin cancer prevention have traditionally targeted fair-skinned people. Now, dermatologists say, more needs to be done to encourage all groups to take precautions against sun damage.

Only 27 percent of people with darker skin applied sunscreen when they were in the sun for four hours or more, compared with 64 percent of people with light skin. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2009 there will be more than 1 million unreported cases of basal cell, the most common skin cancer, and squamous cell skin cancer but most of them are curable when detected early. For melanoma, the key to a cure is early detection. That's why dermatologists caution everyone to be vigilant and learn the risks for their skin type.

Not all skin is the same. People with darker skin often get diagnosed at later stages because the cancers often appear in abnormal locations. Melanomas in Blacks and darker-skinned Hispanics and Asians develop more commonly on the palms, soles of the feet, toenails, fingernails and in mucus membranes like around the mouth and genitals. In Whites and lighter-skinned Hispanics, melanomas more frequently appear on the back in men and on the legs in women.

Skin color can affect the way lesions look. Historically, research and teaching was done on fairer-skinned people, making it more challenging for physicians to recognize suspicious moles on darker skin. Keep it simple. If you have any lesion or mole change at all, or if you have a spot that bleeds and doesn't heal in three weeks, see a physician or a dermatologist. Another piece of simple advice: All racial groups need to use sunscreens. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both deep-penetrating UVA rays and burn-causing UVB rays. Not all sunscreens protect against both. Use extreme caution in the sun and make certain that you use a sunscreen, even on a cloudy day. DO NOT underestimate the rays of the sun. The worst thing you can possibly do is nothing.

For more information check out the following:
How to pick the right sunscreen.
http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/22/picking-the-right-sunscreen/

How to avoid the most common of cancers: Skin cancer
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/04/hm.skin.cancer/

MayoClinic.com: Skin cancer
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/skin-cancer/DS00190.html

MayoClinic.com: Moles
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/moles/DS00121.html

Visit the American Academy of Dermatology Web site to find free screening locations in your state
http://www.aad.org/public/exams/screenings/index.html

Visit the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep cosmetic safety database
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/splash.php?URI=/special/sunscreens2008/summary.php