Read More Imagine visiting the dermatologist with concerns about a strange growth on your arm. You breathe a sigh of relief when your doctor tells you that the spot is an actinic keratosis (AK), meaning it isn’t malignant…for now. It may stay benign, but it could also turn into a potentially life-threatening form of skin cancer. What? A staggering 58 …
The Dangers of Doctor Google
Read More When you’re searching for medical information, whether about skin cancer or any condition, follow these steps for credible, helpful advice! For many of us, the internet is the first place we turn to when we have questions about our health. While the web is a treasure trove of helpful information about diseases and medications, there’s also plenty of …
Is It Time to Seek a Second Opinion?
Read More Though it may feel awkward, getting a second opinion can be a great tool to help you take control of your health and find peace of mind. A skin cancer diagnosis might make you feel anxious, confused or scared. You might ask yourself, Was this the right diagnosis? Am I sure about going ahead with the treatment my …
Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Skin Cancer?
Read More Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, affecting more than 5 million people each year. Despite its prevalence, it’s a disease that’s not well understood by many. Take our interactive quiz to test your knowledge of the disease. Time limit: 0 Quiz-summary 0 of 10 questions completed Questions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 …
A Surprising Danger in Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Read More Before you hit the road or board a train, bus or plane this season, here’s a new way to make your trip safer: Protect yourself from the sun while you’re getting to your destination. You know when you’re on a long trip, stuck on the sunny side, and your ear or your arm feels like it’s on fire? …
Amelanotic Melanoma: It Doesn’t Look Like Other Melanomas
Read More Odds are, if you have spent time on SkinCancer.org, you know the classic ABCDE warning signs of melanoma: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variations, Diameter over ¼ inch (6 mm) or Dark in color, and Evolution or change. But did you know that some melanomas have very different features? For example, certain melanomas may have no color at all. Physicians refer to these as …
Are You at Risk for Skin Cancer?
Read More Time limit: 0 Quiz-summary 0 of 8 questions completed Questions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Information Certain types of skin are at greater risk for developing sun damage and skin cancer. Do you know your skin type? The Fitzpatrick Skin Type is a skin classification system first developed in 1975 by Thomas Fitzpatrick, MD, of …
Social Media and Skin Cancer: The Benefits, the Drawbacks for Patients Seeking Support
Read More Have you ever shared details of your medical diagnosis on social media? If so, you are in good company. We know from our own online community that many people with skin cancer use social media as a tool to provide and receive comfort, share new treatment research and engage with other patients, physicians and resources. When used wisely, …
Back to Basics: Understanding the World’s Most Common Cancer
Read More May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, when interest in skin cancer prevention, detection and treatment is high. Hopefully you’ve learned something new from The Skin Cancer Foundation that can help keep you and your family safe. Skin Cancer Awareness Month is also a good time to go back to basics. Here’s a quick refresher on the major types of …
Our New Approach to a Challenging Skin Cancer Statistic
Read More For decades, The Skin Cancer Foundation has been one of the most trusted sources for curated and medically reviewed U.S. statistics on skin cancer. The media rely on us, and so do physicians and millions of patients. We take this responsibility very seriously. Updating our incidence statistics on melanoma is relatively simple. Cases are tracked through the CDC’s …