Systemic Barriers Delay Melanoma Diagnosis in Latino Patients

Background: Latinos in the United States experience worse survival outcomes in comparison to non-Hispanic white despite lower incidence of melanoma. An established issue is that diagnosis often occurs at later stages in this population, contributing to a worse prognosis. These disparities may be related to lack of awareness, access to care, insurance coverage, and language barriers leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Objective: To identify patient-reported facilitators and barriers influencing timely melanoma diagnosis and care among Latino patients. Design: Qualitative study. Methods: The study involved semistructured interviews conducted between May and November 2023 with Latino adults diagnosed with melanoma in Los Angeles County, identified through the California Cancer Registry. Interviews were conducted in English or Spanish by bilingually trained staff who inquired about pathways to diagnosis, barriers and facilitators to care, referral experiences, and melanoma awaren more...