A recent study has shown a steady incline in the incidence of melanoma among Latinos.  The study, which was released Monday at University of Southern California, focused particularly on California because of it’s 12 million Latino residents and efficient cancer registries.

 Latinos have historically not been thought to be susceptible to melanoma and other skin cancers because the pigmentation of their skin provides increased protection from the suns harmful rays.  However, the study shows that cases of melanoma cancer among Latino males are growing steadily at an alarming seven percent incline, per year. 

Research epidemiologist Myles G. Cockburn of USC’s Keck School of Medicine emphasized that doctors need to be more wary of signs of skin cancer in Latino patients.  Many doctors in the past have been lax in their examination of Latino patients for problems such as skin cancer because of the unlikelihood.  However, these recent findings suggest that dermatologists and doctors of Latino patients should apply a more heightened sensitivity to visible symptoms of skin cancer.

The most disturbing aspect of the results produced through the study, showed that the greatest increase in Latino melanoma patients was among people who had thick tumors.  A thick tumor in the medical field is considered to be tumor that is larger than 1.5 millimeters thick and is thought to be far more lethal that an average melanoma tumor.  The substantial increase in the occurrence of high-risk melanoma is likely due to tumors that have gone unnoticed and untreated. 

While the incidence of melanoma is still significantly higher in Caucasian males, the rate is growing nearly two times as rapidly in Latino males.  Cockburn suggests that the statistics are preventable and could be remedied with more aggressive prevention programs targeted at Latinos.

 “There is no reason for anyone to die from this,” the doctor commented.