02/17/2025
Last week, we celebrated what would have been Bob Marley’s 80th birthday- but it’s important to remember that we could have gotten many more songs from his repertoire if it weren’t for the devastating impacts of skin cancer. The legendary Jamaican musician passed away from acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) in 1981, when he was only 36 years old.
While generally uncommon, ALM is the most common type of melanoma found in people of color. The five-year survival rate for Black people with melanoma is 71%, but most deaths occur when diagnosis comes too late. Performing habitual skin checks, especially in areas like your palms, foot soles, and under your nails, can help in catching melanoma spots before they spread- and potentially save your life.
