Fact About Albinism

There are mainly two types of albinism

Oculocutaneous Albinism OCA which affects the skin, eyes, hair and is seen equally in males and females.

Ocular Albinism OA which mainly affects the eyes with minimal to no skin and hair involvement and is mainly seen in males.

The frequency of 1:1,400 in Africa Albinism is more common in Africa, Indonesia and USA.

Albinism is inherited from parents who carry the trait every child have two copies of albinism pigment ,the child can still make pigment ,two pigmented parents who are both carriers of the trait can have a child with albinism .

Persons with albinism are more vulnerable to developing skin cancers because the skin lacks melanin, the most common skin cancer is basal cell cancer is followed by cell cancer both cancer are cause by ultraviolent UV exposure over time.

Melanonama is a less common cancer but the most deadly, the causes of melanoma are uncertain but UV exposure is a significant risk factor.

The outcome of treatment skin cancers among PWA in most developing countries has been poor because majority of these patients present late to the hospital with advance stage.

‘This is partly due to paucity of local date regarding this condition and lack of community awareness on the importance of early reporting to hospital for early diagnosis and treatment.