Dark Skin And Sun Exposure: 7 Skin Cancer Realities

Many people believe that only Caucasians can get skin cancer.  Dark-skinned African-Americans, Latinos and Asians often believe they are immune, and spend time in the sun without sun-block. Although Caucasians are more susceptible to skin cancer than people of color, people of all shades and pigments need to protect themselves against the ultraviolet, skin-cancer causing sun rays.

Here are seven skin cancer realities that dark-skinned people should know concerning sun exposure:

1. Melanin is what gives the skin its color.  The more melanin, the darker the skin.  Melanin does provide some protection against cancer-causing sun rays.  All types of skin cancer, basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, may be caused by an extreme sunburn or the effects of a tanning bed, no matter what a person’s skin color may be.

2. Basal cell carcinoma is the number one skin cancer in Caucasians and the number two skin cancer in African-Americans.  Without doubt, one major cause is exposure to the sun’s dangerous ultraviolet rays.  The skin lesions of basal cell carcinoma are easily removed and it is a highly curable disease if caught in its early stages.  Unfortunately, the mortality rate is higher in African-Americans because they may believe they are immune.  This may cause them to neglect medical treatment.  By the time the disease is diagnosed, it has progressed and may prove fatal.

3. The five-year survival rate of Caucasians diagnosed with Melanoma is 91%.  Due to late diagnosis and treatment, the five-year survival rate for African-Americans, is only 73%.

4. The most common area of the body for dark-skinned people to have cancerous skin lesions, is on the head and neck, areas that are most often exposed to the ultraviolet sun rays.

5. No matter what your skin color, if you note a skin lesion, watch it closely.  If it has not healed within a month of appearing, or oozes, bleeds or crusts, consult a dermatologist.

6. Be certain the dermatologist you consult is knowledgeable about skin cancer in dark-skinned people and the relationship between sun exposure and skin cancer.

7. People of all ages and skin colors need to follow the recommendations of the Skin Cancer Foundation's PreventionGuidelines which include:

• Limiting exposure to the sun.  Avoid it altogether if possible between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• When exposure is necessary, always wear sunblock with an SP of at least 30.  Reapply every two hours or after sweating or swimming.
• Prevent exposure by wearing protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses.
• Avoid tanning beds completely.
• Avoid sunburn.  Even one sunburn in a lifetime increases the chances of skin cancer.

What you should do

• Perform monthly body self-exams for early detection of skin lesions.

The self-exam should not be limited to areas of the body where sun exposure is most common.  Dark skinned people develop skin lesions of melanoma on the bottoms of their feet and in their mouth more frequently than Caucasians do.

• Call your doctor if a spot is found that changes in size, itches, bleeds or does not heal.

All people need Vitamin D to make up for the Vitamin D not received from sun exposure.  People of color who avoid the sun tend to be more susceptible to developing a vitamin D deficiency and need supplements more than Caucasians.  The darker the skin, the more vitamin D is required.

For more information, visit the American Academy of Dermatology, Skin Cancer website.  With early detection, all types of skin cancer are treatable and have a high cure rate.  Left undetected, it can quickly advance and result in death.