Minorities Need to Put their Best Foot Forward to Prevent Skin Cancer

	Tweet

Many people don’t know that the Jamaican musician, Bob Marley died of malignant melanoma in his right foot.

African-Americans and Asian-Americans tend not to check for signs of skin cancer, as many feel they aren’t susceptible to the disease because of their darker skin. This misconception means that most cases aren’t diagnosed until much later when the disease has progressed and become difficult to treat, which leads to higher fatalities among minorities.

Tracey Vlahovic, D.P.M., assistant professor of podiatric medicine and orthopedics at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, stresses the importance of minority populations checking their feet for signs of skin cancer.

“Simply just checking the feet, toenails and in between the toes for abnormal pigmentation and strange moles could save a life,” said Vlahovic, an expert in the skin of the feet and lower extremities.

“The legs and feet are not immune to the sun’s effects, and since women tend to expose those areas more than men, they have a higher risk of developing skin cancer there,” Vlahovic adds. “Sunscreen is important, no matter your race or ethnicity.”

Source: Temple University

RELATED STORIES:
Analysis Finds Sunscreens Containing Retinyl Palmitate Do Not Cause Skin Cancer   Image Analysis Project Aims to Classify Characteristics of Skin Cancer   Tanning beds raise melanoma risk, US study finds   Ultraviolet light helps skin cancer cells thrive, researchers report   Risk of second malignant melanoma high   Melanoma rates higher in wealthy white women   Trends in melanoma incidence and stage at diagnosis vary by racial and ethnic group   Exercise protects against skin cancer   Risk of Melanoma Can Increase with Age, Especially Among Men   Doctors may be able to hear skin cancer spread   Green Tea Helps   Lack of Important ‘Gatekeeper’ Protein Linked to Skin Cancer   Lasers ID deadly skin cancer better than doctors   Outdoor athletes have heightened skin cancer risk   As rates rise, researchers find better way to identify melanoma   Researchers Use New Tools to Combat Skin Cancer   More Accurate Method Required for Tracking Skin Cancer Cases   Melanoma overdiagnosed in US   HPV infection linked to increased risk of skin cancer   UK male deaths from melanoma skin cancer rising fast   Multiple skin cancer risk behaviors are common among US adults   Special ultrasound accurately identifies skin cancer

Comments

[ + Post Your Own ]

Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not Armenian Medical Network's stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

There are no comments for this entry yet. [ + Comment here + ]