Melanoma in US Hispanics: recommended strategies to reduce disparities in outcomes

Cutis. 2018 Apr;101(4):243-246.

Abstract

Cutaneous melanoma is the most fatal form of skin cancer and presents a considerable public health concern in the United States. Although the age-adjusted incidence of melanoma among US Hispanics is lower than that of non-Hispanic whites (NHWs), Hispanics who are diagnosed with melanoma are more likely to present with thicker primary tumors, metastatic disease, and lower 5-year melanoma-specific survival rates than NHWs. Melanoma risk factors and reasons for late presentation among Hispanics are not completely understood. In this review, the epidemiology and clinical presentation of melanoma in Hispanics is summarized, and recommendations for a research agenda to advance understanding of this disease in the most rapidly growing segment of the US population is provided.

MeSH terms

  • Health Status Disparities*
  • Hispanic or Latino / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / diagnosis
  • Melanoma / epidemiology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Skin Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • United States / epidemiology