- Researchers found significant disparities in melanoma among racial and ethnic groups.
- Using the National Cancer Database, researchers found the survival rate for melanoma cases was lowest among Black men, who had an increased mortality risk of 26% compared to white men.
- To protect yourself from melanoma, wear sun-protective clothing and sunscreen and check your skin once a month.
While there are numerous studies on male and female cases of melanoma, there is limited research on racial differences of this skin cancer, especially among males.
To learn more, a team of researchers reviewed the National Cancer Database. They examined cases of primary cutaneous invasive melanoma among non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic Asian, non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native, and Hispanic males.
Their findings demonstrated disparities in melanoma among racial and ethnic groups.
For American Indian/Alaskan Native, and white individuals, the trunk was the most common area for melanoma. However, Black, Asian, and Hispanic males were diagnosed with melanoma in the lower extremity.
Stage 3 or 4 melanoma was also most common among Black people (48.6%).
The 5-year overall melanoma survival rates were highest for white males (75.1%) and lowest for Black males (51.7%). Researchers discovered that Black people diagnosed with melanoma were 26% more likely to die than white people with the same diagnosis.
“We hope that this study lays the foundation for future research to explore the reasons for why there are different presentations and survival among men of diverse racial groups in melanoma,” Dr. Bianka Bubic, study author and a dermatology research fellow at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, told Medical News Today.
Researchers are still investigating why Black individuals face a higher risk of melanoma severity.
Early signs of melanoma include pigmented lesions that may present with shape, symmetry, size, and pattern changes.
Dr. Faranak Kamangar, a board…
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