Patient Education

Thirty years ago, polls showed that many Americans could not define the word “melanoma.” Today, the public knows much more about this most dangerous form of skin cancer, which claims nearly 8,000 American lives a year.

The Foundation’s educational materials — brochures, posters, and books — are a valuable resource, providing accurate, up-to-date, and essential information on all forms of skin cancer, sun protection strategies, skin cancer prevention, and self-examination.

More than one million printed pieces per year are on display in physicians' offices, and are distributed at screening clinics, health fairs, and corporate and community wellness programs by nurses, educators, schools, and the media. For brochures, posters, and other educational materials, visit our online store.

Media

The Foundation is recognized by all major media outlets as an authority on skin cancer and sun protection. The Foundation’s message has generated more than 700 million media impressions this year, with segments on national radio, national television morning shows and news outlets, and in such magazines as Allure, Self, Reader's Digest, Family Circle, Prevention, More and O: The Oprah Magazine.

In 2008, our Go With Your Own Glow campaign against tanning generated $1.5 million in pro-bono advertising space in magazines including Health, O: The Oprah Magazine, and People. The campaign continues in 2009 with this message: Tanning’s 15 minutes of fame are over. Let your inner health, beauty and vitality shine through.

Core Publications

The Skin Cancer Foundation publishes an annual Journal, which is distributed nationally and internationally to physicians, nurses, patients, the media, and others concerned about skin cancer. Written by doctors for consumers, the Journal offers the latest news and features on developments in skin cancer prevention, detection, and treatment.

The Sun & Skin News is a quarterly newsletter that provides a broad range of information on skin health, including prevention of skin cancers, effectiveness of sun protection products, prevention and treatment of photoaging, and more. Approximately 180,000 copies are distributed annually to physicians, health care providers, and members.

The Melanoma Letter is a quarterly clinical newsletter focusing on issues concerning the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of melanoma. More than 90,000 copies are sent to physicians and health care providers annually.

Books

The Skin Cancer Foundation is proud to publish three books: Understanding Basal Cell Carcinoma: What You Need to Know and Understanding Squamous Cell Carcinoma: What You Need to Know by Dr. Perry Robins, and Understanding Melanoma: What You Need to Know by Drs. Perry Robins and Maritza Perez. These books convey essential information on the three most common forms of skin cancer in an accessible, non-threatening manner, and provide timely information on treatment, coping, and aftercare. To order any of these volumes, visit our online store.

Rite Aid Partnership

Rite Aid has partnered with The Skin Cancer Foundation to make skin cancer one of their major health platforms. The partnership includes an eleven-page, bi-lingual healthy skin care guide and tip book, as well as a Skin Care Fact Finder containing coupons for skin care products, including sunscreen and moisturizer with SPF.

The Road to Healthy Skin Tour

The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Road to Healthy Skin Tour, presented by AVEENO^® and Rite Aid, offers free full-body skin exams, conducted by local dermatologists, to people across the country. In 2008, the Tour made 81 stops, screened 3,097 individuals, and discovered 39 suspected melanomas. In 2009, the Tour will make 80+ stops and will screen an estimated 4,000 people. Additional sponsorship for the tour is provided by DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.^®, Columbia Sportswear, Solar Gard^® Window Film, and Fitness magazine.

The Sunsational Guide to Smart Sun Safety: Fun in the Sun 101

Our interactive website for students in grades 6-8 presents important information about sun protection, skin cancer prevention, the safe way to take vitamin D, and the hazards of tanning. The Sunsational Guide to Smart Sun Safety (www.skincancer.org/school) was made possible by an educational grant from Eucerin and also offers free resources for educators, including a sun safety curriculum, poster, and quiz, as well as a teachers’ kit.