Wellness Café

The cancer myth that puts darker skin at risk

Jan 18, 2026

The belief that people with darker skin can’t get skin cancer is simply false. In reality, anyone can be affected.

When people assume their skin tone protects them from the sun, they may overlook warning signs.

As a result, skin cancer in darker-skinned individuals is often caught at a more advanced stage, making treatment more difficult. Yet, skin cancer is highly treatable if caught early.

Why darker skin is still at risk

Melanin is the pigment in your body responsible for the colour of your skin, hair and eyes. It absorbs ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and stops it damaging your DNA.

So the more melanin you have, the longer you can be exposed to the sun without burning, but it doesn’t provide complete protection from skin cancer.

While sun damage is the main cause of skin cancers, in darker skin, some types appear on low-exposure areas, such as the bottom of your feet.

Types of skin cancer

The most common skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. While the first two are usually slow growing, the last spreads fast and aggressively.

Basal cell carcinoma presents as:

a small, shiny or pearly bump (usually black, brown or blue on dark skin), or
– a flat, scaly/rough patch, or
– a waxy scar-like area.

It’s sometimes mistaken for recurring pimples, moles or eczema.

Squamous cell carcinoma (most common skin cancer in Blacks and Indians) presents as:

– a rough/scaly patch or crust, or

– a recurring sore that sometimes bleeds.

It’s sometimes mistaken for eczema, psoriasis or warts.

Melanoma presents as:
– a mole or bump that’s asymmetrical, has irregular edges and uneven colour.
In darker skin tones they are often found on the palms, soles, fingers, toes and nail beds.

Protect yourself

Sunscreen: At least SPF20 every day, reapplied two-hourly – more when sweating or swimming.
Cover: Stay in the shade between 10am and 4pm. If you are out, wear a hat, long sleeves, and UV400 sunglasses.
Check: Do a monthly self-check, including feet and hands.
Schedule: Have yourself annually checked – but if something seems off, book immediately.

TIP! To cover your body, you need enough sunscreen to fill a shot glass, plus one teaspoon for your face and neck (don’t forget your ears).

Warning signs

There are many premalignant forms of cancer and any suspicious lesion should be seen by a medical professional.

REMEMBER! The ABCDE rule of skin cancer:

The shape is Asymmetrical
The Border is non-uniform, raised etc.
Any change in Colour
An increase in Diameter
A mole or skin spot that changes (Evolving) over time in size, shape, colour, or symptoms (such as itching or bleeding).

All above features should be checked out.

Reference

CANSA Skin Cancer Fact Sheet

LATEST POSTS

5 surprising facts about ADHD

Think attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is shorthand for someone who can’t sit still and focus?
In fact, it’s not an inability to focus, it’s about regulating attention. Many people with ADHD describe becoming intensely focused on some tasks – known as ‘hyperfocus’ – while struggling to start or complete things that don’t grab their attention.

When children get cancer

No one wants to hear that a child has cancer. Fortunately, childhood cancer is rare and accounts for less than 1% of all cancers.
The danger is that many childhood cancers progress very quickly, so it’s important for caregivers to be aware of warning signs – and seek help.
With September being Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, now is the time to learn more.

When breastfeeding does not work for you

Breastfeeding is often portrayed as one of the most natural parts of motherhood – an instinctive, nurturing interaction between mother and child. But what if that image of effortless nursing doesn’t reflect your reality?
You’re not alone. In fact, 60-80% of new moms say they have difficulty breastfeeding. What’s more, in South Africa, the tally for infants under six months that are exclusively breastfed is less than one in three.

Why you should start building bone today

Over the years, your bones gradually break down – and for women after menopause, it’s a particularly big problem.
Your bones may seem solid, but they’re actually living tissue constantly renewing itself – like a well-maintained building. New parts replace old ones all the time, but if the building loses more bricks at a rate than they can be replaced, the structure becomes weaker.

How to stay healthy all winter long

Want to stop the sniffles in their tracks this season? These five strategies will protect, nurture and support your body.
South Africa’s colder months can bring a mixed bag of winter woes. More time indoors, closer contact with others, indoor heating – the perfect conditions for colds and flu. Shorter days also affect vitamin D levels and mood. It’s not surprising that many of us end up feeling less than sunny.