Risk Factors for Keratinocyte Carcinoma Skin Cancer In Nonwhite Individuals: A Retrospective Analysis

Abstract Background As the majority of the U.S. population will consist of nonwhite individuals by the year 2043, it is essential that both physicians and patients are educated about skin cancerin nonwhite individuals. Objective To update the epidemiology, investigate specific riskfactors, and facilitate earlier diagnosis and intervention of KC in nonwhite individuals Methods IRB-approved retrospective chart review of all non-white individuals who had received a biopsy-proven diagnosis of skin cancerat Drexel Dermatology from June 2008 to June 2015. Results Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was the most commonly diagnosed skin cancerin Black and Asian populations, while basal cell carcinoma(BCC) was the most common skin cancerin Hispanics. Blacks exhibited the majority of their SCC lesions in sun- protected areas, particularly the anogenital area. On average, current smokers were diagnosed with skin cancer12.27 years earlier than former smokers and 9.36 years earlier than nonsmokers. Limitations Single-center design and inter-practitioner variability of skin examination Conclusions The importance of photoprotectionin nonwhite individuals should not go overlooked. However, emphasis should also be placed on active examination of sun- protected areasin nonwhites and recognition of the relationship between HPV and genital SCC lesions. Smoking cessation should be integrated in dermatologic counseling of all patients. Interventions tailored to each of these ethnic groups are needed.