In an article published in The Washington Post, experts urged individuals with darker skin tones to wear sunscreen to reduce their risk of developing skin cancer. Patient advocate Jacqueline Smith, a Black woman and cancer survivor, detailed her skin cancer diagnosis in 2003 at the age of 22. After discovering a lump on her skin, she visited several physicians who dismissed her concerns before one physician finally correctly diagnosed her with stage III melanoma. She described never applying sunscreen as a child, despite frequently visiting the beach with her family.
Although melanoma is rarer in individuals with darker skin tones—whose skin is more likely to protect them from the harmful effects of sun exposure—experts revealed that these individuals may face a higher rate of mortality from the disease and are often diagnosed at later stages than individuals with lighter skin tones. They advised all individuals with darker skin tones to follow new guidelines calling for the use of tinted mineral sunscreens with an SPF of 30 or higher that are designed to block the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Further, wearing sunscreen has also been shown to protect the skin from sunburns, hyperpigmentation, and aging. Sunscreen companies have recently begun to focus on providing products that don’t leave white residue in an effort to factor in all skin tones and encourage the more regular use of outdoor skin protection.
Now aged 42 years, Ms. Smith has survived two instances of melanoma. After receiving treatment and not expecting to survive for more than 5 years, she has been cancer-free for 15 years and has since served as Associate Director for U.S. Oncology Advocacy at Bristol Myers Squibb and Director of Grassroots Advocacy and State Government Affairs at Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Ms. Smith advised other individuals with darker skin tones to purchase sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and sun-protective clothing for outdoor activities.