Melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, is more prevalent and lethal in men compared to women. Additionally, there is a significant disparity between white and Black men, with higher rates among white men but worse outcomes among Black men. A comprehensive study conducted on melanoma in American men, which is considered the largest to date, shed light on the reasons behind these disparities (Time). The study analyzed over 205,000 melanoma cases in men between 2004 and 2018 and found that survival rates varied significantly based on race. White men had a five-year overall survival rate of 75%, while Native American, Asian, and Hispanic men had rates between 66% and 69%. In contrast, Black men had a survival rate of only 52%. Furthermore, Black men were 26% more likely to succumb to melanoma compared to white men (Washington Post).
The study revealed that late-stage diagnoses played a significant role in the worse outcomes for Black men. While 21% of white men were diagnosed in the late stage, this number rose to 49% for Black men. Similarly, Native American men had a late-stage diagnosis rate of 29%, Asian men had 38%, and Hispanic men had 40% (Time). Late-stage diagnosis is associated with poorer overall survival rates in melanoma cases (Time). One reason for the delay in diagnosing melanoma in Black men is the fact that doctors are more adept at identifying skin conditions on lighter skin than on darker skin (Association of American Medical Colleges). Moreover, melanomas present differently in Black men compared to white men (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology).
When it comes to the location of melanomas, the study found that 61% of white men had them on the trunk, head, or neck, while more than half of Black men had them on the lower extremities. Additionally, 20% of Black men had acral lentiginous melanoma, a more lethal subtype that occurs on the hands and feet, including nail beds. These areas can often be mistaken for benign conditions, leading to delayed diagnosis (Post). Even after considering factors such as timing of diagnosis, cancer location, income, and insurance, Black men still experienced poorer survival outcomes, indicating the presence of unknown factors that require further investigation (Time). (Read more melanoma stories.)
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