--- description: People of color are not immune to skin cancer. Stacy Jackson, 58, discovered this when his dermatologist informed him he had a basal cell carcinoma. title: "“We Are All Susceptible”: One Man Shares His Surprising Experience with Skin Cancer - The Skin Cancer Foundation" image: https://www.skincancer.org/wp-content/uploads/Jackson_HeroImage.jpg --- ![Sun \& Skin News]() # “We Are All Susceptible”: One Man Shares His Surprising Experience with Skin Cancer By [Ali Venosa](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/author/avenosa/) • Published On: August 17, 2020 • Last Updated: February 1, 2024 ![cycling-sun-protection](https://www.skincancer.org/wp-content/uploads/Jackson_HeroImage-1024x682.jpg) Since skin cancer is the world’s most common cancer, it goes without saying that it affects people all around the world. What is less obvious, however, is that anyone regardless of age, skin tone or race can develop the disease. It’s true that people with darker skin tones have more melanin, the natural pigment that gives their skin some protection against sun damage. This only helps to a certain extent, though: People of color are not immune to skin cancer. Stacy Jackson discovered this at age 58 when his dermatologist informed him he had a [basal cell carcinoma (BCC)](https://blog.skincancer.org/2017/03/23/is-basal-cell-carcinoma-serious/) on the back of his head. ![]() Since his diagnosis, Jackson practices a complete sun protection regimen which includes UV-protective clothing. Jackson recalls that he had not even made the appointment specifically to get the spot checked out — he was visiting the dermatologist for an unrelated reason, and figured he should mention the spot.  He remembered that his barber had suggested he get the bump, which occasionally bled, checked out. The dermatologist removed some tissue from the spot to [do a biopsy](http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/ask-the-experts/biopsy), and later called to tell him the spot was skin cancer. “I was shocked,” Jackson says.  “I thought it was a pimple. I would pick at it, but it would always come back.” Jackson may have been surprised by the diagnosis, but it could have happened to anyone whose skin had sustained sun damage. Jackson grew up in sunny Southern California, and remembers frequent trips to Santa Monica beach as a child. Even away from the beach he was active outdoors, swimming and riding his bike. Sun protection wasn’t a part of the equation. “I don’t recall ever using sunscreen as a kid,” he says. Basal cell carcinomas are usually caused by a combination of cumulative everyday sun exposure and occasional intense sun exposure. There are several [treatment options for BCCs](http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/basal-cell-carcinoma/bcc-treatment-options), but Jackson had his tumor removed through [Mohs surgery](https://www.skincancer.org/treatment-resources/mohs-surgery/), a technique where the visible tumor is removed (excised) and examined under a microscope. If the margins of the excised tissue are clear of cancer, the procedure ends. If not, another layer of tissue is removed, and the procedure is repeated until the margins are clear. The procedure took time, but it did do the job — Jackson has been cancer-free since the surgery. This may be in part due to his new efforts to protect himself from the sun’s rays. Immediately after having his cancer removed, Jackson made changes to lower his risk of recurrence. “I found a sunscreen that I could wear every day,” he says. “I do wear a hat, and I bought [UV-protective clothing](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sun-protective-clothing/) for when I ride my bike.” Unfortunately, many people of color may not be taking these kinds of precautions. In a 2010 survey, 63 percent of Black Americans surveyed said they never used sunscreen — a possible result of misconceptions concerning [who can develop skin cancer](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-skin-of-color/). Jackson said it’s important not to assume that just because you have more melanin means you’re completely protected from skin cancer. “That myth needs to be busted,” he says. “We all need to protect ourselves against the sun, particularly if we’re active outdoors. We are all susceptible \[to skin cancer], and need to be cognizant of that.” ##### Categories - [Ask the Expert](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/ask-the-expert/) - [Child Sun Safety](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/child-sun-safety/) - [Destination Healthy Skin](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/destination-healthy-skin/) - [Healthy Lifestyle](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/healthy-lifestyle/) - [Inside The Skin Cancer Foundation](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/inside-the-skin-cancer-foundation/) - [Monthly Newsletter](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/enews/) - [News & Research](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/news-research/) - [Skin Cancer Awareness Month](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/skin-cancer-awareness-month/) - [Skin Cancer Information](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/skin-cancer-information/) - [Skin Cancer Myths & Misinformation](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/skin-cancer-myths-misinformation/) - [Skin of Color](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/skin-of-color/) - [Tanning](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/tanning/) - [The Big See](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/the-big-see/) - [The Skin Cancer Foundation Journal](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/the-skin-cancer-foundation-journal/) - [This Is Skin Cancer](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/true-stories/) - [Why We Give](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/why-we-give/) ##### Follow Us [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/skincancerfoundation) [![x logo]()](http://twitter.com/SkinCancerOrg) [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-skin-cancer-foundation/) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/skincancerorg/) [Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/skincancerorg/) [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/user/SkinCancerFoundation) ##### [Sign up for newsletter](https://www.skincancer.org/newsletter-sign-up/)   ##### Popular Posts - [Ask the Expert: Does a High SPF Protect My Skin Better?](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/ask-the-expert-does-a-high-spf-protect-my-skin-better/) - [Why Does My Skin Peel When I Get Sunburned, and What Should I Do About It?](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/why-does-my-skin-peel-when-i-get-sunburned/) - [DIY Don’ts: Why At-Home Mole Removal Is a Bad Idea](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/diy-donts-why-at-home-mole-removal-is-a-bad-idea/) - [Amelanotic Melanoma: It Doesn’t Look Like Other Melanomas](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/amelanotic-melanoma-it-doesnt-look-like-other-melanomas/) - [Ask the Expert: Painful Moles](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/ask-expert-painful-moles/) - [How Dangerous is Melanoma? It’s All a Matter of Timing](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/dangerous-melanoma-matter-timing/) - [Sun Protection and Vitamin D](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/sun-protection-and-vitamin-d/) ![]() [![candid logo]()](https://www.guidestar.org/profile/shared/248c6aa7-9ca9-4489-81b8-69bd7ed2f3d5) Open menu Menu Close menu SearchSearch ```json {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/blog\/surprising-experience-skin-cancer\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/blog\/surprising-experience-skin-cancer\/"},"author":{"name":"Ali Venosa","@id":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/#\/schema\/person\/2aeafb81ca97d6bd209b36c21bf21ef4"},"headline":"“We Are All Susceptible”: One Man Shares His Surprising Experience with Skin Cancer","datePublished":"2020-08-17T13:10:28+00:00","dateModified":"2024-02-01T18:52:10+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/blog\/surprising-experience-skin-cancer\/"},"wordCount":564,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/blog\/surprising-experience-skin-cancer\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Jackson_HeroImage.jpg","keywords":["Basal Cell Carcinoma","mohs surgery","people of color","skin of color","Sports"],"articleSection":["Skin of Color","This Is Skin Cancer"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/blog\/surprising-experience-skin-cancer\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/blog\/surprising-experience-skin-cancer\/","url":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/blog\/surprising-experience-skin-cancer\/","name":"“We are all susceptible”: One Man Shares His Surprising Experience","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/blog\/surprising-experience-skin-cancer\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/blog\/surprising-experience-skin-cancer\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Jackson_HeroImage.jpg","datePublished":"2020-08-17T13:10:28+00:00","dateModified":"2024-02-01T18:52:10+00:00","description":"People of color are not immune to skin cancer. 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We empower people to take a proactive approach to daily sun protection and the early detection and treatment of skin cancer.","email":"info@skincancer.org","telephone":"(212) 725-5176","legalName":"The Skin Cancer Foundation"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/#\/schema\/person\/2aeafb81ca97d6bd209b36c21bf21ef4","name":"Ali Venosa","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1710e9b1c191e8cfd92e77670f3c858fa69c52f212b311959db67cc1028c6ce0?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1710e9b1c191e8cfd92e77670f3c858fa69c52f212b311959db67cc1028c6ce0?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1710e9b1c191e8cfd92e77670f3c858fa69c52f212b311959db67cc1028c6ce0?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Ali Venosa"},"description":"Ali is the Program Manager for The Skin Cancer Foundation. She is originally from Upstate New York, but relocated to Manhattan after graduating from Lehigh University. Prior to joining the Foundation in 2016, Ali worked as a health and science journalist, covering everything from neuroscience to fitness fads. When she’s not busy managing Destination Healthy Skin, she’s probably reading a fantasy novel, sampling the pasta at a local restaurant or planning her next trip.","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/blog\/author\/avenosa\/"],"url":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/blog\/author\/avenosa\/"}]} ```