Higher Skin Cancer Death Rate in Minorities due to Lack of Awareness: Study

Recent research suggests that more minorities die from skin cancer due to a lack of awareness regarding the health issue. Despite their lower risk for developing the problem, new findings show that minorities are diagnosed at a more advanced stage of skin cancer and have lower chances of survival than Caucasians.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the most common type of skin cancer for African Americans and Asian Indians is squamous cell carcinoma-the second most common type of skin cancer among Hispanics, East Asians and Caucasians.

"We need to intensify our awareness efforts for minorities so they fully understand the dangers of sun exposure and what they can do to reduce their risk of skin cancer," researcher Dr. Diane Jackson-Richard of Henry Ford's Multicultural Dermatology Clinic in Detroit said in a news release. "Our minority populations have this perception that they are at low risk and little can be done to prevent it. The reality is that skin cancer is a significant health concern for minorities. With early detection and treatment, though, skin cancer is highly curable."

Researchers also stressed the importance of educating individuals on wearing sun screen and staying out of the sun whenever possible.

"We must educate African Americans, Hispanics and other minorities that prevention guidelines are effective at reducing their risk of skin cancer," said Jackson-Richard, adding that fewer sunscreen products are available in Hispanic communities than in non-Hispanic communities, via the release.

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More information regarding the findings was presented Monday at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in Denver.