Racial and ethnic disparities in the perception of respect from physicians among skin cancer patients in the United States

Melanoma in patients with skin of color

Cutaneous melanoma is far less common in skin of color patients than in non-Hispanic White individuals but carries a poorer prognosis. Melanomas in skin of color populations are more often identified on sun-protected locations such as acral surfaces, nail units, and mucous membranes, making them challenging to detect in early stages due to unfamiliar clinical and dermatoscopic features. Additionally, racial health care disparities compound the difficulty in diagnosis and ultimately contribute to poorer prognosis. We explore the epidemiology, clinical presentation, and health care disparities surrounding melanoma in skin of color individuals to increase awareness of the intricacies and nuances in identifying these malignancies.

Biosensors for melanoma skin cancer diagnostics

Skin cancer is a critical global public health concern, with melanoma being the deadliest variant, correlated to 80% of skin cancer-related deaths and a remarkable propensity to metastasize. Despite notable progress in skin cancer prevention and diagnosis, the limitations of existing methods accentuate the demand for precise diagnostic tools. Biosensors have emerged as valuable clinical tools, enabling rapid and reliable point-of-care (POC) testing of skin cancer. This review offers insights into skin cancer development, highlights essential cutaneous melanoma biomarkers, and assesses the current landscape of biosensing technologies for diagnosis. The comprehensive analysis in this review underscores the transformative potential of biosensors in revolutionizing melanoma skin cancer diagnosis, emphasizing their critical role in advancing patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency. The increasing availability of these approaches supports direct diagnosis and aims to reduce the reliance on biopsies, enhancing POC diagnosis. Recent advancements in biosensors for skin cancer diagnosis hold great promise, with their integration into healthcare expected to enhance early detection accuracy and reliability, thereby mitigating socioeconomic disparities.