Melanin in darkly pigmented skin can provide an SPF (sun protective factor) of 1.5 - 4. Amount of UV light getting through is 1/SPF, so a SPF of 4 reduces UV radiation by 75%. So the areas without this protective feature are most at risk (palms/soles).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2671032/
For more explanations and pictures: https://www.aimatmelanoma.org/melanoma-risk-factors/melanoma-in-people-of-color/acral-lentiginous-melanoma-alm/
I knew about acral lentigious melanoma in African American's but because I learned that it has nothing to do with UV exposure I didn't pick it and went with forehead.. Why did they talk about how he goes on a boat every weekend and doesn't use sunscreen if they just wanted us to know that African American = Acral Lentigious :( maybe I'm just dumb
Acral Lentigious is NOT associated with UV exposure. So there might be another reason
But i was thinking back and chest are protected by clothese and Scalp protected by hat or hair and Palm not much exposed. So I chose forehead.
Acral lentiginous melanoma is a subtype of melanoma, that occurs on the distal extremities (ie, acral sites). Its development is not associated with UV radiation, and it is the most common subtype of melanoma in individuals with darker skin (AA).
From reading all these comments, my new understanding is you just have to pick acral lentiginous melanoma in dark-skinned patients because the melanin in dark skin protects from the regular UV-exposure related melanoma.
So since they donโt get the regular sun exposure melanoma often, this is whatโs left over. Acral lentiginous melanoma is also possible in light skinned people, but light skinned people are vulnerable to sun exposure, so are more likely to get UV-exposure related melanoma.
I just think plams are not protected by the melanin and got this right.
submitted by โlsmarshall(465)
Acral lentigious is most common type of melanoma in African Americans and is on the palms or soels. I guess the typical thinking of chest and back (sun exposed) is a little different in this type? Among all demographics; melanomas occur the majority of time on the limbs (~36% lower and ~19% upper); trunk is ~27%... So based on that and him being of African descent we can choose palms.