Protect Yourself

Darker skin alone doesn’t protect against melanoma.

In rare occasions, dark-skinned people can get skin cancer. But sunscreens won’t help.

The Washington Post

“UV radiation does affect dark skin and can cause DNA damage; the damage, however, is seven to eight times lower than the damage done to white skin, given the natural sun protective effect of increased melanin in darker skin. To be clear, using regular sunscreen may help with reducing other effects of the sun’s rays such as sun burns, wrinkling, photoaging and freckling, which are all positive. But for black people on average, sunscreen is unlikely to reduce their low risk of melanoma any further.

As  dermatologists and public health advocates, we can do a better job educating patients and the public about melanoma prevention, without promoting public health messages that are grounded in fear or lack evidence. Black people should be informed that they are at risk of developing melanoma, but that risk is low.

Any dark-skinned person who develops a new, changing or symptomatic mole should see their doctor, particularly if the mole is on the palms or soles. We don’t know what the risk factors are for melanoma in black or dark-skinned people, but they certainly are not UV rays.”

by Dr. Adewole S. Adamson

Board Certified Dermatologist and melanoma expert at University of Texas Austin Dell Medical School

Stay Protected Everyday

See a dermatologist →

  • Any new or changing mole requires attention (change in color, size, shape), especially in adults.

    • See the doctor immediately for any lesion that becomes itchy, painful, bleeds, or does not heal.

  • Regular skin checks are recommended for any person who has a parent, sibling, or child with melanoma. A full skin examination is recommended once a year.

Group of young Black males laughing at something on a cell phone

Wear sunscreen to prevent sunburn & skin-aging →

(yes, black can crack)

  • You should apply sunscreen every day of the year.

  • Apply sunscreen liberally to all exposed areas of your skin 15-30 minutes before going outdoors:

    • Look for sunscreen that says broad spectrum, which covers both UVA and UVB.

    • The sun protective factor (SPF) should be 30 or higher.

    • Protection is needed when exercising, gardening, shopping, even waiting for the bus or driving.

    • Don’t forget those often-missed areas: ears, lips, neck, hands, feet and scalp (if hair is thinning).

    • Reapply every 2 hours if outdoors for an extended period, or after swimming or sweating.

    • If in a bathing suit, an average adult should apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons, think 1 shot glass full) of sunscreen to the entire body.

Black woman with loose curly hair smiles

Discover other ways to take care of your skin →

  • Seek shade between 10am-4pm, when the sun’s rays are strongest.

  • Wear long sleeve shirts and long pants.

  • Choose tightly woven fabrics or colors that are dark or bright, which are more protective.

  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat (at least 3-inch brim extending around the hat).

  • Wear UV-blocking sunglasses with large frames or in a wrap-around style.

Examine your skin →

  • Use a full-length mirror to inspect your skin, starting with your face, ears and neck.

  • Don’t forget to check your palms, soles and nails (remove any nail polish prior to examining).

    • Use a mirror to check the groin and buttocks.

    • Ask your hairdresser or barber to check your scalp at each visit for any new lumps or bumps.

  • Go to www.aad.org for more on how to perform a self-skin exam and to download a body mole map to track your moles. 

SOURCES: AAD.ORG AND SKINCANCER.ORG

Get the Facts

  • The estimated five-year melanoma survival rate for Black people is only 71 percent, versus 93 percent for whites.

SOURCE: Skincancer.org

  • Skin cancer in patients with skin of color is often diagnosed in its later stages, when it’s more difficult to treat.

  • Research has shown that patients with skin of color are less likely than white patients to survive melanoma.

  • Twenty-five percent of melanoma cases in African American patients are diagnosed when the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, while 16%  are diagnosed when the cancer has spread to distant lymph nodes and  other organs.

  • People with skin of color are prone to skin cancer in areas that aren’t commonly exposed to the sun, like the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, the groin and the inside of the mouth. They also may develop melanoma under their nails.

SOURCE: aad.org

Information & Resources

Skin Cancer in People of Color
Author: Camille Peri,
Reviewed by Stephanie S. Gardner, MD
Publication: WebMD Feature

Skin Cancer Facts
SkinCancer.org

Many blacks are unaware of a skin cancer that primarily affects dark-skinned people
Author: Marlene Cimons
Publication: The Washington Post, August 4, 2014

Sunscreen wouldn’t have saved Bob Marley from melanoma, and it won’t help other dark-skinned people
Author: Beth Daley
Publication: The Conversation, May 2019

Skin Cancer Rates by Race and Ethnicity
Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Updated June 8, 2021

Skin Cancer In African Americans: Why You Shouldn't Ignore It
Author: Jessica Cumberbatch Anderson
Publication: HuffPost Black Voices, June 1, 2012