Social Determination of melanoma in the population of Quito

The present research, based on critical epidemiology, had the objective of establishing the social determinants of melanoma in Quito, Ecuador. A narrative review was carried out of the different general, particular, and individual embodiments of the city, in its origin and current situation, related in one way or another to the increase in cases of melanoma in this area, including demographic, geographic, and political data. The critical protective or destructive processes determined were territorial, such as altitude and geographic location; community, the economic possibilities and social classes of zones III and IV with less access to sun protection; and family-individual, biological, ethnic variables and habits of each person. It was evident that it is necessary to strengthen community monitoring in order to identify risk processes related to the development of melanoma and promote protective processes, as well as implement structural modification strategies to reduce the incidence of this pathology.