Skin Cancer and Cutaneous Photodamage in People of Color

Cutaneous malignancies are associated with greater morbidity and higher mortality in people with darker pigmentation; our author speculates as to why.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer and melanoma are more common in the white population but also occur in people of color (POC). Researchers sponsored by the American Academy of Dermatology reviewed information on skin cancer and adverse effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure in this group.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer in Hispanics and Asians. BCCs are rare in blacks, and incidence correlates with the amount of pigmentation. Major risk factors for squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) in POC are chronic inflammatory conditions (e.g., hidradenitis suppurativa, lupus erythematosus, burn scars, and skin ulcers) and herpesvirus infection. Unsurprisingly, most SCCs occur on non-sun-exposed body sites in POC. Cutaneous SCC is t…

Reviewing Author

Craig A. Elmets, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Astellas Pharmaceuticals

EquityVaxin

Grant / Research support NIH; NIH/NCI; Veteran’s Administration; Ferndale Laboratories; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma, Inc.

Editorial boards Cancer Prevention Research; Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine; UpToDate; eMedicine; Journal of Dermatological Sciences; JAMA Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Vice Chair, Committee on Science and Research); Photomedicine Society (Board of Directors)