title: Characteristics, rates, and trends of melanoma incidence among Hispanics in the USA.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to describe the epidemiology of melanoma among Hispanics using data that cover nearly 100 % of the US population.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study used population-based cancer incidence data from the National Program of Cancer Registries and the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program to examine melanoma incidence rates and trends among Hispanics by sex, age, race, histology, anatomic location, stage, and tumor thickness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 2008 to 2012, 6,623 cases of melanoma were diagnosed among Hispanics. Rates were higher among males (4.6) than among females (4.0), but females younger than age 55 had higher rates than males. The most common histologic subtype was superficial spreading melanoma (23 %). Melanomas with poorer outcomes, such as nodular (NM) and acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), were more common among males. Hispanic females had the highest proportion of melanoma on the lower limb and hip (33.7 %), while Hispanic males had the highest proportion on the trunk (29.9 %). Incidence rates for later-stage diagnosis and thicker tumors were significantly higher among Hispanic men than among women. Incidence rates decreased significantly during 2003-2012 (AAPC = -1.4).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinicians and public health practitioners will need to reach the growing Hispanic population in the USA with strategies for primary prevention and early diagnosis of melanoma. Results suggest Hispanics and providers need education to increase awareness about the characteristics of melanoma among Hispanics, including types that occur on non-sun-exposed areas (ALM and NM). Skin cancer prevention and awareness interventions targeting Hispanics should be culturally relevant.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Technology Logistics, Inc, Newnan, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Garnett
authors.affiliation: Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE MS-F76, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA. jtownsend@cdc.gov.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Townsend
authors.affiliation: Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE MS-F76, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA.
authors.forename: Brooke
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Steele
authors.affiliation: Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE MS-F76, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA.
authors.forename: Meg
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Watson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011634:Public Health; D018426:SEER Program; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D000096142:Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma
keywords: Anatomic location of melanoma; Hispanics; Melanoma histology; Melanoma incidence rates; Melanoma incidence trends; Melanoma stage