Melanoma is a serious kind of skin cancer. Even though people with darker skin have a lower chance of getting melanoma compared to those with lighter skin, when melanoma does happen in people of color (like Black or Latinx/Hispanic people), it’s often found later and can be more deadly than in White people. Even within the same ethnic group, lighter-skinned individuals are more likely to get melanoma than darker-skinned individuals. 

Melanoma can show up on any part of the skin, but for people of color, it's often found in places that don't usually see the sun, like the soles of the feet, the palms, nails, and inside the mouth.

What is the cause of melanoma?
For White people, spending a lot of time in the sun or using tanning beds increases their chance of getting melanoma. This is because ultraviolet radiation from the sun and tanning beds can be harmful. For Black and Latinx/Hispanic people, living in places where they get a lot of sun exposure, like near the equator, might also increase their risk of getting melanoma, but scientists aren't completely sure about this yet.

Most melanomas in White people happen on parts of the skin that are exposed to the sun, like the face, arms, and legs. But for people of color, most melanomas show up in places that don't usually see the sun, like the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, inside the mouth or genitals, and under the nails.

Some other things that might raise the risk of melanoma in people of color are getting radiation therapy, having certain kinds of pigmented spots on the skin, having albinism, having scars from burns, or having a weak immune system.

How do I know if I have melanoma?
If you notice any new spots or sores that won't heal, it's a good idea to see a doctor right away. Sometimes, melanomas on dark skin can be hard to see because they're in places you can't easily spot, so it's a good idea to check your skin yourself every month.

 

To help remember what to look for, you can use the ABCDEs:

A - Asymmetry. Check if the mole or spot is symmetrical, meaning both sides should look the same.

B - Borders are irregular.  See if the edges are smooth or if they're uneven.

C - Color variation. Look for any differences in color. It should be the same color all over.

D -Diameter. If it's bigger than a pencil eraser (about 6 mm), it could be a problem.

E - Evolving. Pay attention to any changes, like getting bigger, changing shape, or changing color.

 

Also, since nail melanoma is more common in people of color, there's a helpful guide called the "alphabet of nail melanoma" that can help you and your doctor check for any signs:

A - Age. This can happen to people aged 20 to 90, especially in Black, American Indian or Asian individuals.

B -Band/Breadth/Border.  Look for a dark Band on your nail with a Breadth (width) more than 3mm and/or if the Border of the spot looks fuzzy.

C -Changing. If the band on your nail is changing or getting bigger, or if it's not getting better with treatment.

D - Digits. It's more common on certain fingers or toes, like the thumb, big toe, or index finger. If only one finger or toe has a dark spot, that's more worrisome. It's also more common on your dominant hand.

E - Extension of color. Check if the dark color on your nail is spreading to the sides or bottom.

F - Family or personal history. If you or someone in your family has had melanoma before, or if you have weird moles, you should pay extra attention.

In addition, if you notice a spot on your skin that looks different from most of your other moles, you should have a doctor check it out. This spot is sometimes called an "ugly duckling" because it stands out from the rest.

 

What are the best treatments for melanoma?
If a spot on your skin looks like it might be melanoma, it's important to get it checked out. The doctor might do a biopsy, which means taking a small piece of it to test, or they might remove the whole spot.

If it turns out to be melanoma and it wasn't all removed the first time, you might need another procedure to make sure it's all gone. Sometimes, if the melanoma is deep, your regular doctor might send you to a specialist who deals with cancer to check if it's spread to other parts of your body.

If the melanoma has spread far away, it's treated with different kinds of treatments like medicines or radiation.

Even though melanoma is not as common in people with darker skin, it's still important to catch it early because it's easier to treat. If you find anything unusual or uncertain on your skin, it's a good idea to tell your doctor so they can check it out.