Black Men Face Higher Odds of Dying From Melanoma
Black men are at a higher risk of dying from melanoma than people from other racial and ethnic groups, even though this type of cancer is more common among white men, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. The study analyzed data on over 205,000 men diagnosed with melanoma from 2004 to 2018 and found that Black men had a 26% higher risk of death than white men, with a five-year survival rate of about 52%. This may be due to the fact that melanoma is less likely to occur in Black men, which means it’s not always on the radar of physicians and patients.
Title: Melanoma Prognosis Worse for Men of Color Than White Men
A study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States found that white men have the highest rates of melanoma, while Black women have the lowest incidence rates. The study revealed that all men of color had poorer five-year survival rates from melanoma compared to white men. The research also found differences in the location of melanoma on the body, with white and American Indian/Alaskan Native men having more tumors on their trunks, whereas Black, Hispanic, and Asian men were more likely to have melanoma diagnosed on their lower extremities or in unusual locations like between their fingers or toes. Moreover, Black, Hispanic, and Asian men were more likely to be diagnosed at advanced stages, indicating potential disparities in access to healthcare.
Black Men at Higher Risk of Melanoma Even with Early Diagnosis
Although the study did not establish a direct link between race or ethnicity and melanoma development, black men still showed worse outcomes compared to white men even when diagnosed at the same stage. Factors such as access to care or cultural attitudes towards skin protection and cancer screening may contribute to this disparity. Additionally, black patients may have a distinct type of melanoma with a poorer prognosis, and early-stage symptoms may be less visible on black skin. Types of melanoma seen in white individuals are often caused by sun exposure and grow sideways, making them easier to detect and treat.
Identifying Signs of Skin Cancer
Although universal skin cancer screening is not recommended in the United States, certain high-risk individuals with unexplained discolorations on their skin or a history of precancerous spots should still get regular skin checks. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends self-skin exams to identify changes on the skin that should be looked at by a doctor. These changes can be remembered using the “ABCDE” acronym:
- Asymmetry: one half of the spot does not match the other half.
- Border: the spot has an irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined border.
- Color: the spot has various colors, such as shades of tan, brown, or black, or areas of white, red, or blue.
- Diameter: melanomas are usually larger than 6 millimeters, approximately the size of a pencil eraser.
- Evolving: the spot looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape, or color.
