Caribbean Times 65th Issue - Friday 5th August 2016

Friday 5th August 2016 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 13
Skin cancer deadlier for black people
OHIO, United States –
American researchers have
found that blacks are less
likely to survive melanoma
– the deadliest form of skin
cancer – despite whites having
a higher chance of developing
it.
And although patients
of colour are more likely to
be diagnosed with melanoma
once it has spread and
is harder to treat, they also
have the worst survival rates
for every stage of the disease.
Melanoma can appear
anywhere on the body, but
is most commonly found
on the back, legs, arms and
face, and even underneath a
fingernail or toenail.
People of colour are additionally
prone to skin cancer
in areas that aren’t commonly
exposed to the sun,
including the palms of the
hands and the soles of the
feet.
Though less common
than other forms of skin cancer,
melanoma often spreads
to other organs in the body,
making it more deadly.
According to study author
Dr Jeremy Bordeaux,
from the Case Western Reserve
University in Cleveland:
“Everyone is at risk
for skin cancer, regardless of
race.
“Patients with skin of
colour may believe they aren’t
at risk, but that is not the
case and when they do get
skin cancer, it may be especially
deadly.”
For the latest research,
scientists studied nearly
100,000 patients who had
been diagnosed with melanoma
between 1992 and
2009.
While whites had the
highest incidence rates, they
also had the best survival
rates. Hispanics were second
most likely to survive melanoma,
followed by Asians,
Native Americans, and Pacific
Islanders.
Dr Bordeaux claims there
may be biologic differences
in melanoma among patients
of colour, resulting
in more aggressive disease
in these patients, and advocates
further research to determine
why survival rates
differ among different ethnic
groups.
In the meantime, he
stresses the need for prevention.
“Because skin cancer
can affect anyone, everyone
should be proactive about
skin cancer prevention and
detection,” he said.
“Don’t let this potentially
deadly disease sneak up on
you because you don’t think
it can happen to you.”
According to Dr Bordeaux,
ultraviolet (UV) radiation
exposure is the most
preventable skin cancer risk
factor, and everyone, regardless
of skin colour, should
protect themselves from the
sun’s harmful UV rays.
Recommendations from
the American Academy of
Dermatology include using a
broad-spectrum, water-resistant
sunscreen with an SPF
(Sun Protection Factor) of
30 or higher; wearing protective
clothing, and staying
in the shade whenever possible.
Dr Bordeaux noted that
skin cancer is most treatable
when detected early, so everyone
should regularly examine
their skin for new or
suspicious spots.
He stressed that people
should be especially careful
to examine hard-to-see areas
when monitoring their skin
for signs of skin cancer, asking
a partner to help if necessary.
“If you notice any spots
that are different from the
others, or anything changing,
itching or bleeding on
your skin, make an appointment
to see a board-certified
dermatologist,” he advised.
Other signs to look out
for include asymmetrical
spots with two very different
halves; spots with a mix
of colours, and spots larger
than one-quarter-inch in diameter.
(Caribbean360)