Advice for people with darker skin tones
There is a common misconception that melanoma skin cancer doesn’t occur in people with black or darker skin tones. While it is true that skin with higher levels of melanin has some natural protection against the sun, this does not mean that people with darker skin are completely protected against melanoma.
This misconception may mean that people of colour are unaware of the signs of acral lentiginous melanoma. Its appearance can be similar to other common skin conditions, resulting in misdiagnosis. These factors mean acral lentiginous melanoma is often diagnosed at a later stage, which may therefor result in poorer outcomes for patients.
Acral lentiginous melanoma occurs in just 2-8% of people with lighter skin tones, however occurs in 35-60% of people with darker skin tones.[1]
Not directly linked to sun exposure
Acral lentiginous melanoma is not directly related to sun exposure and the incidence rates are similar across all skin types.
Remember – whatever your skin type, even if you feel you don’t need suncream to protect you against sunburn, it can still prevent other forms of skin damage, such as skin ageing, hyperpigmentation and skin cancer.
