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People of Color Get Skin Cancer Too

Although skin cancer is less common in people of color (POC), there is a higher mortality rate after diagnosis compared to fairer skinned populations. This higher mortality rate is the result of incorrect cultural perceptions that POC are at low/no risk for developing skin cancer. This assumption leads to poor skin cancer prevention habits — not wearing sun-protective clothing, not wearing sunscreen, not visiting the dermatologist for skin examinations. Therefore, when skin cancer is diagnosed in POC, it is usually diagnosed at a much later stage.

Hispanic individuals who work outdoors (like Noe Rozas in the video above, left) are usually earning low wages and minimal health benefits. These workers are at the highest risk for developing skin cancer and have the least access to essential information about skin cancer prevention.

Preventing Skin Cancer