Skin Cancer Doesn’t Discriminate: What People of Color Need to Know

There’s a persistent myth that skin cancer is primarily a concern for people with fair skin. The reality is more complex and more urgent. According to the American Cancer Society’s 2026 data, the lifetime risk of melanoma is about 3% for White individuals, 0.5% for Hispanic individuals, and 0.1% for Black individuals. While skin cancer on dark skin is less common, lower risk does not mean no risk and when skin cancer develops in people of color, it is often diagnosed at a more advanced stage.

Dr. Nana Duffy, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in Rochester, NY, is direct on this point: every adult, regardless of race, should have a baseline skin check. “While skin cancer is less common in patients of color, when it is diagnosed it can often be more serious and more advanced because the diagnosis is delayed,” she explains. Delayed diagnosis remains one of the biggest concerns surrounding melanoma on dark skin and skin cancer in dark skin patients.

Why Does This Gap Exist?

The disparity has multiple causes. Darker skin tones contain more melanin, which does offer some natural protection against UV radiation, but it does not make anyone immune to skin cancer. Many patients still incorrectly believe that people with darker skin cannot develop melanoma or other forms of skin cancer. Equally important, there are systemic gaps in awareness among both patients and healthcare providers. As Dr. Duffy notes, “the diagnosis is often delayed because sometimes skin cancer is not considered as a diagnostic possibility” in patients of color, a gap that has real consequences for survival and treatment complexity.

Where to Look: Body Areas That Matter Most

For patients with darker skin tones, knowing where skin cancer is most likely to appear is especially important because the location is often unexpected. Dr. Duffy emphasizes that patients with brown or black skin should pay particular attention to areas frequently overlooked during self-exams.

It’s really important for patients with brown or black skin to check the palms of their hands, soles of the feet, genitals, and nails, both toenails and fingernails,” she says. “There is a type of melanoma that can be very dangerous called acral lentiginous melanoma. It tends to occur in these areas of the body.

Acral lentiginous melanoma is one of the most common forms of melanoma in people of color and often develops in areas not frequently exposed to the sun.

Patients should also pay close attention to any area of the skin where they have experienced a traumatic burn or chronic inflammation, such as skin changes related to lupus or systemic sclerosis. These areas carry elevated risk that many patients are not aware of.

How Skin Cancer Presents Differently in Darker Skin

Beyond location, skin cancer can also look different in patients of color, which further complicates timely diagnosis. Squamous cell carcinoma, one of the most common types of skin cancer in patients with darker skin, often presents as a rough or scaly nodule that grows over time and can sometimes be painful. While it can appear anywhere on the body, Dr. Duffy notes it is especially important to check areas of chronic inflammation, including old burn scars and skin affected by autoimmune conditions.

Basal cell carcinoma also presents differently in darker skin. Most people associate BCC with pink or pearly bumps, but patients of color can develop a variant called pigmented basal cell carcinoma, which appears very dark, almost black. “In contrast with typical basal cell carcinomas that look pink, pigmented BCCs look very dark, almost black,” Dr. Duffy explains. Without awareness of this variant, it can easily be missed or misidentified.

Because skin cancer symptoms on dark skin can look different from what many patients expect, regular skin checks and early evaluation are especially important.

Bob Marley’s Story and Why It Still Matters

Reggae legend Bob Marley died in 1981 from melanoma that originated under his toenail, a form of acral lentiginous melanoma. His case remains one of the most well-known illustrations of how melanoma can affect anyone, and how delayed diagnosis carries devastating consequences. It is a powerful reminder of exactly the body areas Dr. Duffy urges patients of color to check.

What to Look for in Darker Skin Tones

Dark streaks or discoloration under the nails, not caused by injury
New or changing spots on the palms, soles, or inside the mouth
Non-healing sores or ulcers, particularly in areas not frequently exposed to sun
Rough, scaly, or growing nodules, especially in areas of prior burns or chronic skin inflammation
Very dark (almost black) bumps or lesions, which may be pigmented basal cell carcinoma

Patients who notice new or changing lesions should schedule a professional skin cancer screening as early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes.

Closing the Gap Starts Here

Increased awareness, equitable access to care, and regular dermatology visits are all part of closing the racial disparity in skin cancer outcomes. At Schweiger Dermatology, we believe every patient deserves attentive, individualized care regardless of skin tone. Our board-certified dermatologists are trained to evaluate all skin types and tones with the same level of expertise and attention.

Schweiger Dermatology also offers specialized care through its skin of color dermatology services, helping patients receive personalized evaluation and treatment for conditions that may appear differently in darker skin tones.

Dr. Duffy’s message for every patient, regardless of background, is both simple and powerful: “Skin cancer is very treatable if treated early. All patients should feel like they belong in dermatology offices to have their skin screened for cancer.”

BOOK YOUR SKIN EXAM TODAY

Skin cancer doesn’t look the same on every skin tone, but the importance of early detection is universal. If you are concerned about melanoma on dark skin or unusual spots that are changing in appearance, scheduling a professional skin cancer evaluation can help detect concerns early. Book a full-body skin exam with Schweiger Dermatology today and take this important step for your health.