Asian American and African American melanoma patients have a greater tendency than Caucasians to present with advanced disease at time of diagnosis.

Skin cancer comprises one to two percent of all cancers in African Americans and Asian Indians.

While melanoma is uncommon in African Americans, Latinos, and Asians, it is frequently fatal for these populations.

As few as 48 percent of melanomas in African Americans are diagnosed at an early stage, compared to 74 percent in Hispanics and 84 percent in Caucasians.

The overall melanoma survival rate for African Americans is only 77 percent, versus 91 percent for Caucasians.

Melanomas in African Americans, Asians, Filipinos, Indonesians, and native Hawaiians most often occur on non-exposed skin with less pigment, with up to 60-75 percent of tumors arising on the palms, soles, mucous membranes and nail regions.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cancer in Caucasians, Hispanics, Chinese, Japanese, and other Asian populations.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common skin cancer among African Americans and Asian Indians.

Squamous cell carcinomas in African Americans tend to be more aggressive and are associated with a 20-40 percent risk of metastasis (spreading).

Skin cancer represents approximately 2-4 percent of all cancers in Asians.

Among non-Caucasians, melanoma is a higher risk for children than adults: 6.5 percent of pediatric melanomas occur in non-Caucasians.