Griffin Speaks

DEADLY SKIN CANCER FOUND IN BLACKS

Many African Americans are not aware that they can get the deadly skin cancer, melanoma. Melanoma is a cancer found in the melanocytes, the cells that produce our skin color or pigment known as melanin. We have all heard the saying “the blacker the berry the sweeter the juice”, well when it comes to melanoma it doesn’t matter how black the berry is, the juice won’t be too sweet for melanoma to over power it. 

Melanoma ordinarily occurs in adults, but it can also be found in children and teenagers. Melanoma is the rarest, but most deadly, forms of skin cancer. If you have fair skin (high yellow, light skinned, or red boned) you are at more risk. However, people with other skin types can be affected. Truth be told, melanoma can form in other parts of the human body not covered by skin such as eyes, mouth, vagina, large intestine, and other internal organs. You must also remember that dark-brown or black skin is not a guarantee against melanoma. African Americans can develop this cancer. Sometimes when African Americans develop this disease it is found on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, under nails, or in the mouth. Melanoma develops in men most often on the area of the body between the shoulders and hips, or on the head or neck. Women most often develop melanoma on the arms and legs. If undetected early melanoma can spread rapidly throughout the body through the lymph system, or the blood. Your chances for survival are best if the cancer is treated early. Unfortunately the survival rates for African Americans with this form of cancer is not good. A likely reason for the dismal survival rate is because African Americans are simply not looking for the disease. 

If you see a change in the size, shape, or color of a mole; oozing or bleeding from a mole; a mole that feels itchy, hard, lumpy, swollen, or tender to the touch you may have melanoma. You should see your doctor immediately. Melanoma has the highest death rate and is responsible for 75 percent of all deaths from skin cancer. 

(A note from the author: On many occasions I have no idea about what I will write about, so I ask the Lord to direct me to a topic that will help my readers. This was such an occasion. Sunday, 06-10-07 10:a.m.) 

In the words of my dad, Dr. Melvin J. Griffin Sr.: “The only people who walk around with their right hip on their shoulder are people who don’t have anything!”