Skin Cancer in Skin of Color
Skin cancer is the most common malignancy in the United States.1 While skin cancer is less common in people with skin of color, it is more often associated with an increased incidence of morbidity and mortality as compared to white counterparts.2,3 This imbalance has significant public health concerns. Current skin cancer campaigns focus on Caucasian patients in high-risk groups. There is a paucity of literature on skin cancer in skin of color. Most physicians do not immediately associate skin cancer with skin of color, and little is known about the sun-protective behaviors of those with skin of color. Similarly the collection of statistics for skin cancer in skin of color is challenging as non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) are not consistently reported to tumor registries, and many NMSCs in skin of color are reported as melanomas. According to the 2,000 census,4 by the year 2050, 50% of the US population will be non-white. This changing demographic, combined with the disparate mortality, makes it imperative that physicians become familiar with skin cancer in skin of color so that they may better educate these patients on risk factors and early detection.
KeywordsSquamous Cell Carcinoma Skin Cancer Basal Cell Carcinoma Mycosis Fungoides Significant Public Health Concern
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