It’s important to close the “sunscreen gap” and bring awareness to skin cancer prevention for people of color too. Skin cancer prevention and awareness often focus on fair-skinned individuals, but everyone, regardless of race or skin tone, is at risk for skin cancer. The “sunscreen gap” refers to the misconception that people with darker skin don’t need to use sunscreen. This false belief leaves many non-white individuals vulnerable to skin damage and skin cancer.
While it’s true that people with darker skin have more melanin, which offers some natural protection from UV rays, it does not eliminate the risk.
The Data
- Lower incidence but higher mortality rates. People with darker skin, including African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans, have a lower incidence of skin cancer compared to those with lighter skin. Despite the lower incidence, people with darker skin are often diagnosed at later stages, resulting in higher mortality rates. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 52% of Black patients with melanoma are diagnosed at an advanced stage, compared to 16% of white patients.
- Melanoma survival rates. The 5-year melanoma survival rate for African Americans is 66%, significantly lower than the 92% survival rate for white individuals. This difference is primarily attributed to later detection, as skin cancer in darker skin often goes unnoticed or misdiagnosed until it is more advanced.
- Common types of skin cancer in darker skin. The most common type of skin cancer in darker-skinned individuals is squamous cell carcinoma, whereas in lighter-skinned individuals, basal cell carcinoma is more common. A rare type of melanoma that appears on the palms, soles of the feet or under nails is more frequently seen in people with darker skin tones. It accounts for up to 70% of melanomas in darker-skinned individuals but only 1-2% in white individuals.
- Delayed diagnosis and awareness. A major reason for higher mortality rates is the lack of awareness about skin cancer risks among people with darker skin. Both patients and healthcare providers sometimes assume that darker skin provides full protection, which can delay early detection and treatment.
Increasing Awareness
Awareness about skin cancer prevention in non-white races is important. Healthcare providers need to actively promote and educate all patients about the importance of the use of sunscreen for all skin tones, as well as about the signs of skin cancer.
- Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, regardless of your skin tone.
- Check your skin regularly for changes or new growths.
- Visit a skin specialist for routine skin checks.
Sunscreen matters to all skin tones
Regardless of skin tone, sunscreen plays a key role in protecting against UV damage and preventing early aging.
- UV protection. Sunscreen blocks harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that can damage the skin and lead to cancer over time.
- Even skin tone. Sunscreen helps prevent hyperpigmentation and other skin conditions more common in darker skin tones.
- Cancer prevention. Regular sunscreen use significantly reduces the risk of melanoma and other skin cancers.
Need for more inclusive dermatology
There is still a need for more research, images, and resources that represent a diverse range of skin tones in the field of dermatology. Medical textbooks, educational materials and even online resources often feature images of conditions primarily on fair skin. Another challenge in the medical community is the lack of case studies and images featuring early skin cancer for these type of skin tones. This is due to the difficulty in recognizing skin cancer in its early stages on darker skin. It has led to a gap in clinical training and awareness about how to identify signs of skin cancer in people of color.
It’s essential to recognize that everyone, regardless of skin color, should use sunscreen and take steps to protect their skin from UV damage. By closing the sunscreen gap and spreading awareness about skin cancer risks for all skin tones, better prevention and early detection will result in better outcomes.
Also read Skin cancer knows no boundaries