Beauty Mark Or Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer has been a hot topic lately. Are Blacks at risk? How do you get it? What does skin cancer look like? Contrary to popular belief — that the high levels of melanin (a protective pigment) in our skin prevent us from getting cancer — that’s just not true. While skin cancers are mainly associated with ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds, and many people of color are less susceptible thanks to their UV-blocking melanin, everyone (even Black Americans) are at risk. RELATED: Men & Melanoma: What To Know Before Going Shirtless This Summer In fact, many Blacks are unaware of a skin cancer that primarily affects dark-skinned people — acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), an aggressive cancer that disproportionately afflicts Black Americans and other dark-skinned people. Unfortunately, because Blacks often assume they’re immune to the “Caucasian disease”, their cancers tend to be diagnosed at a more advanced stage, meaning a bleaker outcome. So, considering most adults have between 10 and 40 moles dotting their bodies, how can you tell a beauty mark from skin cancer? Signs of Skin Cancer to Look Out For Here’s what to look for… If it’s pink, flaky, located on the face,...