Wear Sunscreen - Melanoma Skin Cancer is Color Blind

A recent study by the Archives of Dermatology (reg required) points out that although Melanoma skin cancer is most common among whites, it also threatens people of other races. The medical report details 1,690 melanoma cases in Miami-Dade County from 1997-2002.

While whites made up the majority of the cases (nearly 70%). Hispanics accounted for another 485 cases (almost 29%). The other cases were black (almost 2%).

However, the study shows that blacks and Hispanics were more likely than whites to be diagnosed with melanoma that had spread beyond the skin. Nine percent of whites had melanoma that had spread, compared with 16% of Hispanics and 31% of blacks.

Sunburn and skin cancer precautions

Nothing dampens a vacation more than a painful sunburn, and if you ask any local here they will tell you the Miami sun is unforgiving.

When venturing outdoors, your first precaution should be to wear sunscreen. It is important to note that regardless of ethnicity, everyone needs to use it.

Obviously, covering up while in the sun will also help to prevent from getting sunburned.

Like many other cancers, the odds of beating skin cancer are best when it is detected in the early stages.

Just like performing a self breast or testicle exam, everyone should check their skin once a week for suspicious changes such as irregularly shaped moles.

Make sure to also ask your doctor for a skin exam as part of your routine checkup.

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