The risk for skin cancer for African Americans is only 77 percent versus 91 percent of Caucasians. Many patients and physicians are under the impression that non-Caucasian people are immune to this disease; it is one reason people of color are diagnosed at later stages, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

    Skin cancer for African Americans are less often observed because African Americans have melanin in their darkly pigmented skin that protects them from UV rays of the sun according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

    However, according to Brownskin.net, many disagree and say that people of color usually have higher mortality rates for different types of skin cancer than people of fairer complexions when they are diagnosed with the disease. Although there are varying opinions about their chances for being diagnosed with skin cancer, African Americans should be aware of the risk.
         
    Approximately 68,720 melanomas will be diagnosed this year, with nearly 8,650 resulting in death. Malignant melanoma is one of the most dangerous and deadly types of skin cancer, according to the American Melanoma Foundation. It causes the greatest number of deaths due to skin cancer, although it is often curable if discovered early. African Americans are more likely to develop complications associated with the disease such as respiratory failure and metastasis, which means that cancer can spread throughout the body and become deadly.

    Melanoma usually appears on the body parts where there are less pigmentation such as palms, bottoms of the feet, under nails, genitals, and inside mouth where they are less likely to be notice. Melanoma occurs when something goes awry in the melanin producing cells that give color to the skin. People who are at risk for skin cancer are smokers, people who are exposed to radiation and those with a family history of skin cancer.

    Tragically, this is what happened to legendary musician Bob Marley. What was dismissed as a soccer injury under his toenail turned out to be an aggressive form of melanoma that ultimately caused his death. This story reminds us why both medical providers and the public need to educate people of color about their risk of skin cancer.

    Mohs’ technique is a chemo surgical technique for the removal of skin malignancies in which an excision is made to a depth at which the tissue is microscopically free of cancer.

    Kim Rodkey a moh’s technician at Hershey, Pa., dermatology clinic said, “ I don’t believe people of color are least likely at risk of skin cancer. Anyone who is exposed to the sun can be at risk. There are just fewer cases of people of color.” Rodkey said,  “Ways to prevent skin cancer are being in the habit of putting moisturizer on skin every morning and applying sunscreen.”