- A recent study revealed that Black men have higher rates of advanced melanoma when compared to white men.
- Furthermore, Black men also exhibit lower five-year survival rates for skin cancer.
- Here are some crucial areas that Black men should regularly examine for signs of skin cancer.
A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology has unveiled troubling data regarding the diagnosis of skin cancer in men from different racial backgrounds.
In this study, nearly half of Black men were diagnosed with advanced-stage melanoma, compared to only about one-in-five white men.
Early detection of melanoma, specifically in stage I or II, allows for surgical removal before the cancer has spread to lymph nodes or distant organs. Delayed diagnoses necessitate more invasive treatments such as immunotherapy or chemotherapy, resulting in reduced chances of survival.
According to the study, white men exhibited the highest five-year survival rates (75.1%), while only around half of Black men (51.7%) survived for five years following diagnosis.
A possible explanation for the delayed diagnoses in Black men is the different presentation of melanoma in this group. While other groups in the study were more likely to have superficial spreading melanoma (the most common type characterized by abnormal skin lesions), Black men were more prone to acral melanoma, affecting the hands or feet.
Here are three areas that Black men should pay attention to when checking for melanoma:
The soles of your feet
Melanated skin can filter up to twice as much UV light as lighter skin tones, resulting in a lower incidence of skin cancer in people with darker skin. However, melanoma can still develop on the soles of the feet.
Dr. Alexander Witkowski, an assistant professor of dermatology at the OHSU School of Medicine, stated that “everyone has the same amount of pigment in these limited areas, so the risk level is pretty much the same” for both Black and white men.
The palms of your hands
Similar to the feet, palms have less melanin and are more susceptible to developing skin cancer lesions. Not all lesions are dark in color; “pink melanoma” can manifest as a small pink or white spot. One sign is a spot that shines under light or a mirror.
Nails and nailbeds
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While melanoma is often associated with asymmetrical moles, it can also manifest as streaks in fingernails and toenails. It is essential to remove nail polish before undergoing a skin cancer screening for maximum effectiveness.
The same signs of melanoma apply to everyone
Regardless of race, melanoma can develop anywhere on the body, including inside the mouth or on the eyeballs. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor any unusual growths using the ABCDE method, especially if accompanied by itching or bleeding.
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