Skin cancer prevention for people of color

There’s a commonly prevailing false notion that somehow people of color are immune to skin cancer. However it’s true that compared to Caucasian, people of color have a lower chance of developing this ailment. Skin cancer is not easily detectable in people of color and when it is diagnosed it’s often in the late stages which makes it difficult to deal with. All this stands to change because of a study based on comprehensive review of available data that will make early detection and prevention of skin cancer possible for people of color.


The study has been published under the title "Skin cancer and photo protection in people of color: A review and recommendations for physicians and the public," in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. According to statistics on an average an American loses their life to skin cancer every hour, the same report concludes that survival ratio of non-Caucasian such as African Americans and Latinos is surprisingly lower because detection is made in the late stages. "Many people of color mistakenly believe that they are not at risk, but skin cancer is color blind," said board-certified dermatologist Henry W. Lim, MD, FAAD, C.S. Livingood Chair and chairman of the department of dermatology at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Mich. "When detected early, skin cancer is highly treatable, but it can pose a serious health threat if left untreated."

Recommendations for cancer prevention

Like their Caucasian countrymen, in case of people of color ultraviolet (UV) rays has been identified as risk factor. These rays have a tendency to penetrate the skin never protected by clothing and alter DNA of the area leaving it prone to melanoma taking root. The recommendations are based on the same criteria such as:

• Avoid tanning beds
• Wear sun ray protective clothing and use sunscreen SPF to all exposed areas before venturing out. Reapply the sunscreen every two hours.

"Skin cancer can look and develop differently in individuals with skin of color than it does in individuals with lighter skin," said Dr. Lim. "That's why it's so important for everyone to check their skin regularly and make an appointment to see a board-certified dermatologist if you see anything suspicious."