Undereducation is afoot: Assessing the lack of acral lentiginous melanoma educational materials for skin of color

Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is a subtype of cutaneous melanoma notorious for poor outcomes that disproportionately affect individuals with skin of color (e.g., African-, Hispanic-, Asian-descent) when compared to mortality rates among non-Hispanic White populations. There are several societal factors that contribute to racial disparities in ALM, including a lack of representative educational material in the context of patient education and medical instruction. This gap in representative information for the US population includes risk of disease, patterns of incidence, and differences in disease presentation in skin of color. The atypical presentation of ALM on acral volar skin sites makes early detection challenging and necessitates an increased index of suspicion on the part of physicians and patients alike. Studies underscoring the importance of early detection in reducing mortality risk make the availability of adequate representative educational materials indispensable.

Automated summary

Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is a subtype of cutaneous melanoma with poor outcomes, especially among individuals with skin of color. Racial disparities in ALM are influenced by a lack of representative educational materials, leading to a lack of knowledge about disease risk, incidence patterns, and disease presentation in patients with skin of color. The atypical presentation of ALM on acral volar skin sites makes early detection challenging, emphasizing the importance of adequate educational materials.