Minority Melanoma Paradox

Minority populations in the United States such as African Americans, Hispanics, and Asian Americans have a lower incidence of melanoma. Factors may include skin that provides more effective sun protection, a different path of carcinogenesis, or a disproportionately low representation of patients receiving skin examinations. When melanoma develops in these populations, it is more often diagnosed as advanced disease and ultimately leads to a greater mortality rate than in non-Hispanic White patients. This chapter discusses the patterns of melanoma seen in minority populations, its clinical presentation, and the steps physicians and patients can take to reduce the mortality rate.