Why Is Skin Cancer Mortality Higher in Patients With Skin of Color?

In this edition of the “Peer to Peer” audiocast series, Dr. Vincent DeLeo speaks with Dr. Andrew F. Alexis about skin cancer mortality in patients with skin of color. Although malignant melanomas and other skin cancers are less prevalent in nonwhite racial ethnic groups, Dr. Alexis notes that the morbidity and mortality is worse in these patient populations. He discusses some of the reasons why this disparity exists, including low public awareness of skin cancer, differences in clinical presentation, low clinical suspicion among both patients and health care providers, and low access to specialty care among patients with skin of color. He also offers some tips as to how physicians can address and manage the increased risk for skin cancer mortality in this patient population.

Questions for Dr. Andrew F. Alexis on skin cancer mortality in patients with skin of color? Contact the Editorial Office and we'll post the answer here.