Patients with skin of color (SOC) face disproportionately high rates of morbidity and mortality from melanoma. Increasing the awareness of disparities in melanoma recognition and improving diagnostic strategies are key to improving the outcomes of melanoma.
Melanoma is a relatively common skin cancer that affects all groups of people in the United States. However, the recognition of melanoma in people of skin of color (SOC) may be overlooked due to various factors. Disparities in the detection of melanoma often lead to poorer outcomes in SOC patients. Despite the higher prevalence of melanoma in non-Hispanic White patients, minority groups with melanoma often experience higher rates of morbidity and mortality.
One article published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology addresses the disparities in melanoma recognition across minority populations. Healthcare providers may be contributing to the underrecognition of melanoma due to deficits in clinical knowledge. White patients with melanoma typically show tumors around sun-exposed areas, such as the lower extremities or trunk of the body. On the other hand, minority groups may often show melanomas on atypical locations, such as the soles or palms, which may be overlooked by clinicians and result in a delayed diagnosis.
The perception of melanoma in SOC patients may also be inaccurate, leading to delayed diagnosis. Clinicians may have the misconception that darker skin provides complete protection from melanoma, which is untrue. In addition, SOC patients may not exhibit typical risk factors of melanoma often seen in White patients.
Eliminating bias among healthcare providers and improving clinical training for the recognition of melanoma in SOC patients is necessary for improving outcomes of this common skin cancer. Healthcare providers are encouraged to take note of the differences in melanoma manifestations and promote the self-screening of melanoma in atypical locations of the body in SOC patients. An early diagnosis of melanoma could mean improved outcomes for these patients.
Source:
McDaniel, K., & Beer, J. (2022). Addressing Disparities in Melanoma Recognition in Skin of Color. J Drugs Dermatol, 21(7), 789. https://doi.org/10.36849/jdd.6848
