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Abstract
Introduction
Melanoma is the most deadly type of skin cancer with 75% of all skin cancer deaths within the US attributed to it. Risk factors for melanoma include ultraviolet exposure, genetic predisposition, and phenotypic characteristics (eg, fair skin and blond hair). Whites have a 27-fold higher incidence of melanoma than African-Americans (AA), but the 5-year survival is 17.8% lower for AA than Whites. It is reported continuously that AA have more advanced melanomas at diagnosis, and overall lower survival rates. This minority melanoma paradox is not well understood or studied.
Objective
To explore further, the possible explanations for the difference in melanoma severity and survival in AA within the US.
Methods
Qualitative review of the literature.
Results
Lack of minority-targeted public education campaigns, low self-risk perception, low self-skin examinations, intrinsic virulence, vitamin D differences, and physician mistrust may play a role in the melanoma survival disparity among AA.
Conclusion
Increases in public awareness of melanoma risk among AA through physician and media-guided education, higher index of suspicion among individuals and physicians, and policy changes can help to improve early detection and close the melanoma disparity gap in the future.
Acknowledgments
The project described was supported partially by the National Institutes of Health, Grant TL1 RR031979, and by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under award number K08CA155035, and the Melanoma Research Alliance. The authors are also grateful to Timothy Dattels for his generous support. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
Disclosure
The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.