BACKGROUND: Hispanics are among the fastest growing population in the United States and are predicted to account for one third of the nation by 2060. Although melanoma is more common among white patients, Hispanic individuals are at greater risk of late-stage diagnosis, increased tumor thickness, and poorer survival.
OBJECTIVE: To better understand public awareness of melanoma and evaluate change over the last 21 years, particularly among high-risk minority populations.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey collecting information on knowledge and awareness of melanoma was conducted on 285 participants from May through November 2017.
RESULTS: Approximately 39% of participants were unaware of melanoma. Sixty-five percent successfully identified early signs of disease. Approximately 86% of Fitzpatrick skin types (FST) I and II identified melanoma as a cancer, compared to 46.3% of FST III and IV and 57.6% of FST V and VI. Hispanic particiapnts were less likely to know what melanoma was compared to white participants (odds ratio [OR], 0.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.65-0.11; P = .0037). US natives (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 5.56-1.04; P = .0403) and patients with any college education (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 5.26-1.54; P = .0007) were more likely to know the meaning of melanoma.
CONCLUSION: White participants and those with any college education were more likely to know the meaning of melanoma. Individuals of racial and ethnic minorities would benefit from educational programs geared toward early detection.