Melanoma in Hispanic and Black Americans

Abstract

More comprehensive medical training, expanded public educational campaigns, and increased awareness among patients of all skin types to perform self skin checks are recommended. Further studies elucidating the etiology and risk factors for melanoma among minority populations are warranted.

Racial and ethnic variations in incidence and survival of cutaneous melanoma in the United States, 1999-2006

“…4 People with darker skin have a high melanin density, which reduces the risk of cutaneous melanoma induced by ultraviolet radiation from sun exposure. 5 In addition to the low risk of cutaneous melanoma among nonwhite racial and ethnic groups, research has also identified numerous racial and ethnic differences in melanoma incidence, particularly with regard to anatomic distributions and histologic types along with variations in stage at diagnosis and survival. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Most previous populationbased studies on melanoma incidence and survival were based on data from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program, which covered up to 26% of the US population, or individual population-based cancer registries.…”

“…5 In addition to the low risk of cutaneous melanoma among nonwhite racial and ethnic groups, research has also identified numerous racial and ethnic differences in melanoma incidence, particularly with regard to anatomic distributions and histologic types along with variations in stage at diagnosis and survival. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Most previous populationbased studies on melanoma incidence and survival were based on data from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program, which covered up to 26% of the US population, or individual population-based cancer registries. 3,6,7,10,11 Although SEER registries cover diverse populations, small numbers of melanoma cases among nonwhite populations have precluded in-depth analyses for all racial and ethnic groups.…”

Skin Cancer Concerns and Genetic Risk Information-Seeking in Primary Care

“…Incidence rates also continue to rise among many general population subgroups, including those of lower socioeconomic status [10,11]. Across non-Caucasian subgroups, melanoma tends to result in greater morbidity and mortality because the disease is often identified at later, less treatable stages and because of low physician and patient awareness that melanomas do occur in these populations [12,13,14]. The most common cutaneous melanoma subtype in African-Americans, acral lentiginous melanoma, has a lower survival rate than other melanomas [15].…”

Medical Student Melanoma Detection Rates in White and African American Skin using Moulage and Standardized Patients

“…Published medical literature has established an ethnic disparity in melanoma stage at time of diagnosis, which has been attributed in part to earlier detection in whites as compared to African Americans [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Lack of physician knowledge about the clinical presentations of melanoma in African Americans, particularly acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), in addition to misperceptions that melanomas only occur in sun-exposed areas and that dark-skinned individuals are not at risk may contribute to the reported diagnostic delay [3,6].…”