Skin Cancer in PWA
Persons with Albinism (PWA) are highly sensitive to the sun's radiation and are at a significantly increased risk of skin cancer.
PWA in low-and-middle income countries situated in tropical regions are particularly vulnerable. In sub-Saharan Africa PWA are 1000 times more likely to develop skin cancer, and many will die from preventable skin cancers between the ages of 30 and 40.
The Global Albinism Alliance (GAA) leads joint action to raise awareness of skin cancer in PWA as well as improve detection and treatment of preventable skin cancers.
Our actions include regular engagement with the United Nations and the WHO, nurturing cross-stakeholder partnerships, developing advocacy resources, and organizing an annual symposium.
Key Resources
The Global Albinism Alliance (GAA) is pleased to share a resource that highlights the urgent need to end skin cancer deaths among Persons with Albinism (PWA). We invite you to explore and share the infographic widely to stakeholders who can play a role in saving lives from preventable skin cancers.
In July 2024, the Global Albinism Alliance published a call for a systematic multi-stakeholder approach to addressing skin cancer in Persons with Albinism. The call to action is developed in partnership with the International League of Dermatological Societies, GlobalSkin and the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.
Access to affordable, high-quality sunscreen is crucial to preventing skin cancer-related deaths among Persons with Albinism (PWA). The Global Albinism Alliance, is committed to advocating for action from all stakeholders to ensure that this lifesaving resource becomes universally accessible. By addressing this urgent need, we aim to protect the health and well-being of this particularly vulnerable community.
WHO and Access to Sunscreen
We call on the World Health Organization (WHO) to include broad-spectrum sunscreen for Persons with Albinism (PWA) in its Essential Medicines List. In December 2022, the Global Albinism Alliance (GAA), in collaboration with the UN Independent Expert on Albinism, submitted an application to add this critical resource to the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (WHO EML).
Although the initial application was unsuccessful, the GAA remains steadfast in its efforts. Find the Expert Committee meeting report, with an explanation regarding the Committee’s decision
We are currently preparing a second application, which will be submitted in early 2025.