Family history can put a person at increased risk of developing melanoma; about 10% of people with melanoma have an immediate family member with the disease. Other factors that can put a person at increased risk for developing melanoma are the presence of large moles, fair skin, immune suppression treatments, overexposure to sunlight or tanning lamps and age.

While fair skin does increase the risk of melanoma developing, and it is diagnosed far more often in Caucasian Americans, African Americans are not immune to skin cancer. Research in the Journal of Surgical Oncology has found that the disease is deadlier for African Americans, only about 45% survive at the five year mark compared to 65% Caucasian Americans. This is mainly attributed to late diagnosis since most African Americans ignore the early warning signs. Skin cancer lesions in African Americans tend to appear on the extremities, most commonly the palm of the hands and the soles of the feet.

Regardless of race, avoid over exposure to sunlight, wear sunscreen, and have your doctor check any suspicious moles.