• Support center
SkinVision
  • SkinVision Service
  • Skin Cancer Information
    • Skin cancer
    • Melanoma
  • Stories
  • Partners
  • Blog
  • Try SkinVision
SkinVision
  • SkinVision Service
  • Skin Cancer Information
    • Skin cancer
    • Melanoma
  • Stories
  • Partners
  • Blog
  • Try SkinVision

Home » Articles » Skin cancer in dark skin — here’s what you need to know

Skin cancer in dark skin — here’s what you need to know

bySkinVision inArticles posted14 November, 2017
0
4
Skin cancer in dark skin — here’s what you need to know
4 min read

For many with dark skin, melanoma or skin cancer may seem like a far-off possibility, something that only happens to light-skinned people.  The reality is that skin cancer can occur in any skin type, and while it is less common for people with dark(er) skin, it is often deadlier as it is usually detected in the later stages. Read on for a look at the stats and what you should know about skin cancer in darker skin.

The stats point to greater mortality risk for dark skin

It’s true that, in general, skin cancer is a greater risk for light-skinned individuals. A 2014 analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that:

“Among men, Caucasian men had the highest rate of getting melanoma of the skin, followed by American Indian/Alaska Native, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, and African-American men.

Among women, Caucasian women had the highest rate of getting melanoma of the skin, followed by Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian/Pacific Islander, and African-American women.”

While the risk of skin cancer is lower for those with darker skin, the five-year survival rate for melanoma for African Americans is 73 percent, compared with 91 percent for Caucasians, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Many attribute this gap to lower awareness, and, as a result, later detection and skin cancer that is harder to treat. The Skin Cancer Foundation cites a study that found: “Late-stage melanoma diagnoses are more prevalent among minority patients than Caucasian patients; 52 percent of non-Hispanic dark-skinned patients and 26 percent of Hispanic patients receive an initial diagnosis of advanced stage melanoma, versus 16 percent of non-Hispanic light-skinned patients.”

Skin cancer in dark-skinned individuals is not limited to melanoma either. Other types of skin cancer also pose a risk. According to Dr. Perez, director of cosmetic dermatology at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Medical Center and associate professor of clinical dermatology at Columbia University, in an article for the Skin Cancer Foundation:

“Latinos, Chinese, and Japanese Asians tend to develop basal cell carcinoma, the most common skin cancer. But the second most common, squamous cell carcinoma, is more frequent among African Americans and Asian Indians.”

But doesn’t melanin protect the skin?

There is a widely-held belief that those with darker skin don’t need to wear sunscreen or think about sun protection because the extra melanin in their skin already provides enough protection. While it’s true that melanin – the pigment that gives the skin color – helps protect the skin from UV damage, it isn’t able to fully protect it, even for those with a lot of it. That’s why additional sun protection is needed for all skin types to prevent damage that leads to skin cancer and also to prevent the wrinkles and sagging that come with UV exposure.

Further, it’s important to note that some forms of skin cancer aren’t caused by UV exposure but by genetic or environmental drivers. For example, acral lentiginous melanoma, the cancer that killed Bob Marley, disproportionately affects people with dark skin. This rare form of melanoma will typically show up under the nails or toenails as a narrow, dark streak or on the palms or soles of the feet as a dark spot or patch.

Keeping all skin safe starts with prevention

Raising skin cancer awareness is the only way to lower skin cancer mortality rates for dark-skinned people. Every skin type should learn the warning signs: take the proper precautions and conduct regular self-skin checks as well as schedule regular check-ups with a doctor or dermatologist.

 

Share this :

More articles

0
How skin cancer can be prevented
10 August, 2017
How skin cancer can be prevented

3 min readSkin cancer is now the most common form of cancer. Which means that something has to change. We need to be more aware of the risks of skin cancer, which symptoms will occur, […]

1
Can you actually ‘shrink’ your pores?
12 April, 2017
Can you actually ‘shrink’ your pores?

4 min readTake a walk through the beauty or skin care section of any drug store, and you’ll find product after product claiming to shrink or minimize pore size. It seems that a lot of […]

0
National Nutrition Month: Essential vitamins
7 March, 2017
National Nutrition Month: Essential vitamins

2 min readWhen it comes to nutrition, there are a lot of foods, drinks and other ingredients that have an impact on your skin. Whether it’s improving the ‘glow’ of your skin, or simply improving […]

2
What does squamous cell carcinoma mean?
10 July, 2017
What does squamous cell carcinoma mean?

4 min readSquamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common forms of skin cancer. It occurs when squamous cells begin to grow uncontrollably in the top layers of the skin, called the epidermis. What […]

1
Simple skincare routine
2 August, 2016
Simple skincare routine

5 min readFinding a skincare routine suitable for you shouldn’t be complicated. On busy days when you just want to hop out the door, you don’t have enough time to think about the best way […]

0
Who treats skin cancer?
17 January, 2017
Who treats skin cancer?

3 min readWhile many doctors may be involved in skin cancer treatment, there are a few that typically deal with it directly, such as a General Practitioner (GP) and a dermatologist. It’s important to know […]

8
How to keep a healthy skin in the summer
4 May, 2018
How to keep a healthy skin in the summer

2 min readIn most parts of Europe, people are currently enjoying plenty of sunshine as the summer is coming closer. But the sun hasn’t shown its full potential yet. So, how can you enjoy the […]

0
Protecting minors from skin cancer – this is what you can do
6 November, 2017
Protecting minors from skin cancer – this is what you can do

4 min readSadly the skin cancer rates have been steadily climbing all over the world for the past few decades now. Together with you, SkinVision has a mission to help bring these rates down and […]

0
SXSW selects SkinVision as finalist for highly anticipated Release It event
7 February, 2017
SXSW selects SkinVision as finalist for highly anticipated Release It event

2 min readRenowned music and technology festival SXSW has selected SkinVision as a finalist for the Release It event, held on the first day of the festival. From hundreds of applicants, a total of 10 […]

1
Pensioners more likely to get skin cancer nowadays
6 May, 2015
Pensioners more likely to get skin cancer nowadays

3 min read SkinVision is based on mobile technology. But that doesn’t mean that we only speak to those that are on top of technological improvements, but to everyone that we can help in being […]

It saved my life, it could save many more -- Nikie Duddrige

Keep your skin healthy and find skin cancer early.

Peace of mind with an accurate risk indication.

Peace of mind with an accurate risk indication.

Immediate response from SkinVision dermatologists.

Immediate response from SkinVision dermatologists.

Find skin cancer early. It can save your life.

Find skin cancer early. It can save your life.

Download SkinVision now for free

Information

  • Skin cancer
    • Skin cancer pictures
  • Melanoma
    • Melanoma pictures
  • Normal moles pictures

Company

  • About us
  • Research
  • Careers
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy

Business

  • Press
  • Partners
  • For companies

Support

  • FAQ
  • Contact
  • Instructions For Use
Copyright © 2019 SkinVision - Skin cancer melanoma detection app. All Rights Reserved.