A cancer diagnosis can be a frightening event, and when you think of this disease, you may think of leukemia or lymphoma. However, the most common form of this illness is skin cancer, which can affect people between the ages of 15 to 85, according to data offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Skin cancer can also occur on people of almost any nationality and skin color, even darker pigmentations, and there are several risk factors you may want to be aware of, especially if you are of African or African-American descent.
Darker Skin Tones Are Not Invulnerable
You may think that having a darker skin tone may make you less vulnerable to skin cancer. However, this is a myth that could lull you into a false sense of security. Any type of skin can be affected by cancer, and while a darker pigmentation could cause a slowing of tumors, it does not mean that you protected from them completely.
Tumor Location Often Differs From Other Races
Unlike skin cancer that is common in those with light skin, tumors in dark-skinned people are more likely to appear on parts of the body that are often covered by clothing. This means that sunlight may not be a large factor in skin cancer for blacks and other dark-skinned individuals, but some locales may cause a more serious prognosis.
For example, one common area where skin tumors are often found on black individuals is the genitalia. This can allow lesions to grow for some time until they are discovered by a physician or through routine hygienic practices. By the time the lesion is large enough to be felt, it could have a deep core or spread to other areas, such as the anus. This can result in the need for prolonged treatment or a surgical procedure.
Tumor Types May Differ
There are different types of skin cancer, and as a dark-skinned individual, you may be more prone to squamous cell carcinoma than the basal cell type. BCC is more common on those with lighter skin, and its appearance differs from SCC as well. Knowing the difference between the two types of cancer can help you identify any unusual growths you may find on your body.
As a dark-skinned person, it is possible to develop either type of carcinoma. However, the pigmentation of your skin may cause a lesion to appear darker than it would on a Caucasian person. One way to identify a growth that may be cancerous is whether it heals or remains on the skin. A growth that changes color, size, or appearance should be inspected by a dermatologist as soon as possible.
Early Detection Can Be Key
Skin cancer can be deadly if it goes untreated, so it is important that you have any suspicious moles or new skin growths checked right away. These lesions can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated, especially in the case of SCC, which may result in the need for serious treatment, such as radiation.
New cancer detection technology is on the rise, and experts in the field like Harry Stylli are investing both time and money into companies that are dedicated to cancer research. Taking advantage of these new innovations can help you detect skin cancer before it can do any irreversible damage to your body.
Skin cancer can affect anyone at nearly any age once they reach their teens. However, while having dark skin may mean a lower risk for certain types of UV ray-related cancer, you may be more vulnerable to other more serious carcinomas, and knowing the facts can help you stay healthy for years to come.