Dark skin is not immune to skin cancer, we just don't find it until it's too late.
“Blacks are more than three times as likely as whites to be diagnosed with melanoma after it has reached a late stage, and Hispanics are nearly twice as likely, according to a University of Miami study.
Late diagnosis of melanoma generally significantly reduces the chances for survival. The survival rate for those with early detection is about 99 percent, according to the National Cancer Institute. With later detection, the survival rate falls to between 15 and 65 percent, depending on how far the disease has spread.”
Also, because the disease is more likely to occur in light-skinned people, many prevention and detection efforts are aimed at them, he [Dr. Robert Kirsner] said.”
This article on Skin Cancer in the Black community was really interesting. A lot of the problem focuses on the lack of adequate medical access Black people have that could diagnose the problem early, and increase survival rate. Don’t die of ignorance, we don’t have to die from this.
If you notice new growths/bumps/spots on your skin that are abnormal in size, or are not healing, seek medical advice. But meanwhile, here is information from the Skin Cancer Foundation that may help you distinguish these growths from “normal” ones.
Sunscreen up everyone.
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