african american,
People who have dark skin tones often believe they’re not at risk for skin cancer, but that is a dangerous misconception, says dermatologist Maritza I. Perez, MD, a senior vice president of The Skin Cancer Foundation. Lack of knowledge and a belief that dark skin protects against skin cancer are among the barriers preventing minority, uninsured, and immigrant populations from adopting methods for skin cancer prevention.
The rate of skin cancer diagnosis is rising in minority populations. “Anyone can get skin cancer, regardless of race,” she says. While incidence of melanoma is higher in the Caucasian population, a July 2016 study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology showed it is more deadly in people of color. African American patients were most likely to be diagnosed with melanoma in its later stages than any other group in the study, and they also had the worst prognosis and the lowest overall survival rate.
Most skin cancers are associated with ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or from tanning beds, says Dr. Perez. Yes, darker skin produces more of the pigment called melanin that does help protect skin — but only to a certain extent. People of color can still get sunburned, and they can also develop skin cancer from UV damage.
It’s of concern that 63 percent of African American participants in a survey said they never used sunscreen. This needs to change, says Dr. Perez. “Remember, ethnicity does not define skin type. It can represent a wide range of skin tones with a wide range of risks.” To avoid premature aging and damage that can lead to skin cancer, everyone should use sunscreen every day and practice sun-safe habits, such as seeking shade and wearing protective clothing, hats and UV-blocking sunglasses.
Additionally, certain skin cancers are caused by factors other than UV — such as genetics or environmental influences — and may occur on parts of the body rarely exposed to the sun. For example, people who have dark skin are more susceptible to acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), an especially dangerous form of melanoma that typically appears on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. (The Jamaican singer and musician Bob Marley died of ALM when he was only 36.)
acral lentiginous melanomaacral lentiginous melanoma
People who have dark skin are more susceptible to acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), like these examples above.
It’s crucial to detect skin cancer early, when it is easiest to treat and most likely to be cured. Dr. Perez says she advises people of all ethnicities to do a monthly skin self-exam and see a dermatologist annually — and sooner if any of the warning signs appear:
Click HERE to see skin cancer rates by race and ethnicity.
Until next time. - D💋
FOLLOW ME ↓
FB - https://www.facebook.com/mssoellegant
IG - https://www.instagram.com/mssoellegant
SC - https://www.snapchat.com/add/mssoellegant
Blog - https://www.mssoellegant.blogspot.com
AFFILIATE LINKS & CODES ↓
https://www.ipsy.com/new?cid=ppage_opensubs&sid=link&refer=ws5xn
https://share.fashionnova.com/x/NKprBC
https://glossgenius.com/invite/theglowmother
As sited by The Skin Cancer Foundation
Dark Skin Tones & Skin Cancer: What You Need To Know
People who have dark skin tones often believe they’re not at risk for skin cancer, but that is a dangerous misconception, says dermatologist Maritza I. Perez, MD, a senior vice president of The Skin Cancer Foundation. Lack of knowledge and a belief that dark skin protects against skin cancer are among the barriers preventing minority, uninsured, and immigrant populations from adopting methods for skin cancer prevention.
The rate of skin cancer diagnosis is rising in minority populations. “Anyone can get skin cancer, regardless of race,” she says. While incidence of melanoma is higher in the Caucasian population, a July 2016 study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology showed it is more deadly in people of color. African American patients were most likely to be diagnosed with melanoma in its later stages than any other group in the study, and they also had the worst prognosis and the lowest overall survival rate.
Most skin cancers are associated with ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or from tanning beds, says Dr. Perez. Yes, darker skin produces more of the pigment called melanin that does help protect skin — but only to a certain extent. People of color can still get sunburned, and they can also develop skin cancer from UV damage.
It’s of concern that 63 percent of African American participants in a survey said they never used sunscreen. This needs to change, says Dr. Perez. “Remember, ethnicity does not define skin type. It can represent a wide range of skin tones with a wide range of risks.” To avoid premature aging and damage that can lead to skin cancer, everyone should use sunscreen every day and practice sun-safe habits, such as seeking shade and wearing protective clothing, hats and UV-blocking sunglasses.
Additionally, certain skin cancers are caused by factors other than UV — such as genetics or environmental influences — and may occur on parts of the body rarely exposed to the sun. For example, people who have dark skin are more susceptible to acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), an especially dangerous form of melanoma that typically appears on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. (The Jamaican singer and musician Bob Marley died of ALM when he was only 36.)
acral lentiginous melanomaacral lentiginous melanoma
People who have dark skin are more susceptible to acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), like these examples above.
It’s crucial to detect skin cancer early, when it is easiest to treat and most likely to be cured. Dr. Perez says she advises people of all ethnicities to do a monthly skin self-exam and see a dermatologist annually — and sooner if any of the warning signs appear:
People who have dark skin are more susceptible to acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), like these examples above.
- A bump, patch, sore or growth that bleeds, oozes, crusts, doesn’t heal or lasts longer than a month. This may indicate basal cell carcinoma.
- An ulcer, scaly red patch, wart-like growth or sore that sometimes crusts or bleeds could be a sign of squamous cell carcinoma. This type of skin cancer can also develop in old scars or areas of previous physical trauma or inflammation.
- New or existing moles that are asymmetrical, have an irregular border, more than one color, are larger than a pencil eraser or change in any way may indicate melanoma. Pay special attention to suspicious spots on the hands, soles of the feet or under the nails, which could signify ALM.
Click HERE to see skin cancer rates by race and ethnicity.
Until next time. - D💋
FOLLOW ME ↓
FB - https://www.facebook.com/mssoellegant
IG - https://www.instagram.com/mssoellegant
SC - https://www.snapchat.com/add/mssoellegant
Blog - https://www.mssoellegant.blogspot.com
AFFILIATE LINKS & CODES ↓
https://www.ipsy.com/new?cid=ppage_opensubs&sid=link&refer=ws5xn
https://share.fashionnova.com/x/NKprBC
https://glossgenius.com/invite/theglowmother
As sited by The Skin Cancer Foundation
0 comments: