Rachel Dolezal Now Known As Nkechi Diallo Reveals Years Of Tanning UV Exposure Ended In Skin Cancer Scare

Rachel Dolezal, the former academic and activist who now goes by Nkechi Amare Diallo, has revealed she was diagnosed with skin cancer after years of tanning, bringing renewed attention to her long-running and controversial public identity. The 48-year-old said she recently underwent surgery to remove a Stage 1 malignant melanoma from her lower back, an early form of skin cancer most commonly linked to prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Diallo described the experience as a “tough but grounding reminder of what years of sun (and a childhood in a family that didn’t believe in sunscreen) can do over time.” Medical guidance from the Mayo Clinic identifies UV exposure—from both natural sunlight and tanning beds—as the leading cause of melanoma, particularly among individuals with fair skin and lighter features. “Anyone can get melanoma, but it's most common in people with white skin,” notes the Mayo Clinic. “If you have blond or red hair, light-colored eyes, and freckle or sunburn easily, you're more likely to develop melanoma.” Following her diagnosis, Diallo indicated she plans to avoid direct sun exposure but has not stepped away from maintaining a darker complexion. She said she has turned to ingestible “tanning drops” containing carotene, explaining that “there’s an old tradition to drink carrot juice and beet juice, and it’s supposed to stimulate your melanin.” According to the National Institute of Health, carotene, a pigment found in foods like carrots and sweet potatoes, can alter skin tone when consumed in large amounts, but it does not replicate melanin production or provide protection against UV damage. Diallo first became a national figure in 2015 while serving as an Africana studies instructor at Eastern Washington University and as president of a local NAACP chapter. Her career unraveled after it was publicly revealed that she was born to white parents despite presenting herself as a Black woman for years.

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