Contrary to what many believe, dark skin doesn’t offer protection against deadly melanomas, an expert warns. This type of skin cancer can be affected by genetics and is far more likely to develop in sun-protected areas of the body in blacks, Hispanics, and even Asians, according to researcher Dr. Arthur Rhodes. He’s director of the Melanoma Surveillance Clinic at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
“The misconception that the sun is responsible for all cases of melanoma leads to lower survival rates because of delayed diagnosis, particularly among people of color,” Rhodes said in a Rush news release.
Only 10 to 15 percent of melanomas are caused by excessive sun exposure, typically in heavily freckled and sun-damaged skin, he noted.
