Monica and the Melanoma Check

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Dialogue

Two Black women (Monica and Brandi) are sitting at a table at an outdoor cafe having lunch together and chatting.

Monica: What are you going to wear to Stacey’s party next month?

Brandi: Probably a black dress. The one with the —

Monica: (reaches for her glass of water, exposing a dark spot on her palm in the process)

Brandi: Monica, what’s on your hand?

Monica: This spot? (points to spot on palm). Not sure. It seemed to just show up one day. And you know what? It’s actually been bothering me lately. It’s itchy and a little tender.

Brandi: Have you gotten it checked out?

Monica: No. I’m sure it’s no big deal.

Brandi: That kinda reminds me of how Stacey said her skin cancer looked.

Monica: But she’s fair-skinned. Darker skinned people like us don’t have to worry about that. I never get burned.

Brandi: Yeah, but I think you should at least get it looked at.

Monica: Well, I am going to the dermatologist in a few weeks to try one of those skin resurfacing laser treatments. I can bring it up then.

Monica is sitting in the examination chair at the dermatologist’s office. She is finishing up one of those fancy laser treatments on her face.

A couple weeks later …

Doctor: All done! This should help fight some of those fine lines you’re concerned about.

Monica: Oh before I go, my friend made me promise to ask you about this spot on my hand. I told her it was nothing, but can you take a quick look?

Monica’s dermatologist reaches for a magnifying glass, adjusts her headlamp to shine onto her palm, and leans forward and examines the mole on her palm.

Monica’s doctor takes a quick skin sample of the mole and packages it up for biopsy.

Doctor: This actually looks a bit suspicious.

Monica: Really? What does it look like?

Doctor: It could be early melanoma.

Monica: On the palm of my hand?

Doctor: Yes. In people with darker skin, melanoma actually shows up more in areas that don’t get a lot of sun, like your palm, bottoms of the feet, under your nails or even inside your mouth.

Monica: I had no idea. I barely even use sunscreen – unless I’m at the beach or something – because my skin never seems to burn.

Doctor: A lot of people of color don’t realize that they’re also prone to skin cancer. And that not all skin cancer is caused by sun exposure. It’s true that lighter skin is more at risk, but I also diagnose it in Black people — even those who never burn. I’m going to have this biopsied and will call you with the results.

Monica gets a phone call from the doctor.

Monica: Hello?

Doctor: Hi, Monica. Just like I suspected, that mole is early stage melanoma. The good news is you brought it to my attention, and we caught it early. I’m going to schedule you to come in and get it removed.

Monica: Wow. I’m so glad I had it checked.

Doctor: Yes, it’s great that you brought that mole to my attention. Come in for yearly checks, keep tabs on your skin between appointments and definitely come see me if you notice anything else suspicious.

Also, even though sun exposure probably didn’t cause this melanoma, it’s still important to wear sunscreen. Use SPF 30 or higher. You’ll want to find a brand with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. Zinc can leave a white cast on your skin, but they make tinted ones for people of color.

Monica: Thank you!

Monica is at Stacey’s party with her friend Brandi. They are standing together at a high top cocktail table with a drink in each of their hands chatting. Brandi is in her black dress and Monica is dressed up as well. The party is outside on a rooftop and the sun is still out.

Monica puts on sunscreen and offers some to Brandi

Monica: Thanks again for encouraging me to get that mole checked out, Brandi.

Brandi: Of course. I’m so glad the surgery took care of it. A great reminder to put on sunscreen. Honestly, I’ve been slacking too.

Monica: Speaking of which … (pulls out a tube of SPF 30, slathers some on her exposed skin and offers it to Brandi).

Brandi: Thanks!

Possible skin cancer symptoms in people of color

• A dark spot, growth or patch of skin that is changing shape, getting bigger or bleeding
• A rough or dry patch of skin
• A dark line in or around your finger or toenail bed
• A sore that isn’t healing or heals and returns over time
• A sore that appears or reappears in a scar or site of previous injury

For more information, visit HealthyWomen.org.

This resource was created with support from Merck.