As Skin Cancer Surges among Hispanics, New Spanish-Language Resources Arise

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Studies show a 20% increase in skin cancer rates in Hispanics, many of who are misinformed about their risk and believe they are immune to the damaging effects of sun rays, the Latin Times reports.

The Skin Cancer Foundation has launched a new public education campaign to inform Hispanics about sun protection.

The campaign includes a Spanish-language website with various resources, information, and potentially life-saving tips to prevent skin cancer (melanoma), advise on warning signs, and promote early detection.

The campaign also is bringing Spanish-language printed and other materials to Hispanic-serving clinics, community groups, and media.

“There is a misconception in the Hispanic population that they are immune to skin cancer because of their skin, and thus, they are not prone to it,” Dr. Maritza Perez of the Skin Cancer Foundation told the Latin Times. “Another reason is that there is not enough information from the health care providers for those patients and if there is, then the patients don’t get the information themselves. So it is both the misconception and the lack of information that results in a higher incidence amongst the Hispanic population.

“Making all this information available for the public was not just enough — now there is a website that will address the problems in their own language on the web.”

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Healthcare Access

By The Numbers By The Numbers

25.1

percent

of Latinos remain without health insurance coverage

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