Disparities in Melanoma Outcomes Among Black Patients
Source: The Asco Post, May 2024
Investigators may have uncovered sex-based disparities in the detection and survival of melanoma in Black patients, according to a recent study published by Steadman et al in the Journal of Surgical Oncology.
Background
Melanoma is an aggressive type of skin cancer that accounts for about 75% of skin cancer–related mortality. Although melanoma is less common in Black patients, the disease is often detected at more advanced stages when prognoses are poorer compared with White patients.
Extremity melanoma refers to skin cancer that can develop on the arms, legs, hands, and feet.
Previous studies on melanoma haven’t focused on how race and sex affect patient outcomes or the influence of race and ethnicity across all groups.
“We want to broaden and deepen our reach to better understand the disease that affects all patients. What we’ve done … with this study and others is to identify the need. We have a rich, integrated, multidisciplinary clinical research practice in melanoma, and we want to address clinical needs and knowledge gaps relevant to our practice,” noted senior study author Tina Hieken, MD, a researcher at the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center.