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Skin Cancer Awareness Among 1 271 Black Africans in South Africa
Author(s) -
Wright Caradee Y.,
Wallace Melissa,
Mistri Preethi,
Wernecke Bianca,
Kapwata Thandi
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
photochemistry and photobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.818
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1751-1097
pISSN - 0031-8655
DOI - 10.1111/php.13193
Subject(s) - skin cancer , dark skin , acral lentiginous melanoma , cancer , medicine , dermatology , black african , melanoma , population , environmental health , cancer research , ethnology , history
Little is known about levels of awareness and perceptions of skin cancer among Africans living in Africa. This study assessed skin cancer awareness among 1271 deeply pigmented South Africans. Participants ( n = 642 males vs n = 629 females) were aware of skin cancer (79%) with more females than males being aware of skin cancer ( P = 0.02). Majority of all participants had never checked their skin for signs or symptoms of skin cancer (90%). Palms of hands and soles of feet were the least recognized anatomic sites for skin cancer development, despite these sites being the common sites for acral lentiginous melanoma in individuals with deeply pigmented skin. Results suggest a need for targeted skin cancer awareness among population groups with dark skin on identification, screening, and early detection, professional training for healthcare personnel and content on skin cancer in deeply pigmented skin in medical curricula.