Blacks Get Skin Cancer Too

I know you’ve heard the myths:

• “Black folks don’t get skin cancer.”
• “I don’t need sunscreen. I’ve got melanin.”
• “Good black don’t crack!”

I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard these myths from my patients, friends and family. When it comes to sunscreen and perceptions of skin cancer risks, there are a lot of unfortunate myths out there among African Americans.

Believing these myths can put you at risk for damaged skin, looking older earlier, and even death.

Sun Exposure Can Be Damaging for All Skin Types

The fact of the matter is this: Sun exposure can be damaging for ALL skin types. Sure, many blacks may not wrinkle to the degree that our white counterparts do, but our skin can be damaged by the sun too. With sun exposure, our skin pigmentation can become uneven and blotchy as we age. Also, blacks are not immune to other signs of aging such as loss of skin fullness (volume loss) and the effects of gravity. (I’m talking about sagging, y’all).

While it’s true that blacks have a lower risk of skin cancer, and that melanin is protective to a degree, please know this:

Even if your skin is naturally darker, you CAN burn, you CAN wrinkle, and you CAN develop skin cancer.

Also, many people are a genetic mixture from many backgrounds (I know you’ve seen those 23andme commercials!) Your skin tone may not reflect your true risk for developing skin cancer.

Do You Know Your Skin Cancer Risks?

In a study that I recently published with Dr. Ncoza Dlova and colleagues from South Africa, we reported that of South African patients surveyed; only 46% of blacks were aware of their risk for skin cancer, and only 30% of blacks were aware that they should use sunscreen. There was also a lack of knowledge about the likelihood of melanoma skin cancer occurring on the palms, soles, and nails in blacks.

If this study were conducted in the US, would the results be any better?

Would we know more? I’m not so sure. With most public health messages regarding skin cancer targeting risks such as light skin, light hair and people with freckles, it’s understandable that many black people don’t know their own risks.

Here are Some Facts about Skin Cancer in Blacks:

• Melanoma is the most serious and most deadly form of skin cancer
• Blacks are more likely to get melanoma on the palms, soles, and nails. Bob Marley had it on his foot.
• Even though blacks develop melanoma skin cancer less frequently than whites, blacks have a higher likelihood of dying from it
• Blacks can develop a squamous cell cancer (another form of skin cancer) in areas of old scars caused by burns, lupus, or ulcers (like diabetic ulcers).
• Squamous cell cancer is more likely to metastasize (spread) and cause death in blacks than whites.

How to Reduce Your Skin Cancer Risk:

• Wear sunscreen.
• Check your skin monthly, including your palms, soles and nails.
• Go for regular dental, gynecological and eye exams. Cancers can occur in the genitals, mouth and even eyes.
• Tell you loved ones about their risks!