Skin Cancer Foundation

Since its founding in 1979, The Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF) has aimed to “empower people to take a proactive approach to daily sun protection and the early detection and treatment of skin cancer.”[2] The organization has developed a mix of programs and resources that serve the needs of a diverse audience. SCF disseminates information via its digital resources, public service campaigns and community programs, including Destination: Healthy Skin. The foundation's professional membership includes dermatologists, Mohs surgeons, plastic surgeons and other medical professionals working to fight skin cancer.[3] Headquartered in New York City, the foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity.[4]

The Skin Cancer Foundation
Founded1979 (1979)
FounderPerry Robins, MD[1]
FocusSkin cancer prevention, early detection and treatment
Location
Area served
United States, International
MethodPublic education, professional organization
Websitewww.skincancer.org

Background statistics

More than five million nonmelanoma skin cancers are diagnosed annually in the U.S., and an estimated 196,060 cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in 2020. Every hour more than two people die from skin cancer.[5][6] The primary cause of skin cancer is ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and indoor tanning beds.[7] The incidence and impact of skin cancer can be dramatically reduced through education, lifestyle changes, and early detection.[8]

Public information

The Foundation publishes disease prevention, detection and treatment information on SkinCancer.org the Sun & Skin News blog and their annual Journal. The Journal is distributed regularly to most dermatologists' offices nationwide. SCF ships posters, brochures, newsletters and Journals to medical offices, health clinics, schools and community centers across the country.[9]

Programs

In 2017 The Foundation's annual skin cancer screening program, Road to Healthy Skin Tour, was rebranded as Destination: Healthy Skin. The Foundation owns a customized RV, retrofitted with two exam rooms.[10] The RV travels around the country and local volunteer dermatologists provide free full-body skin cancer screenings in the towns and cities visited. The organization engages local media to create a community dialogue about the need for sun safety, regardless of activity or location. The Foundation has provided approximately 25,000 free skin cancer screenings on board the RV since 2008.

The Big See is the Foundation's public service campaign, which empowers the public to take a proactive approach to skin cancer detection.[11] The Big See leverages the seriousness of cancer (the big C) while highlighting the unique characteristic of skin cancer, which is that people can actually see it. The campaign urges the public to look for anything new, changing or unusual on their skin.[12]

The Skin Cancer Foundation's Robins Nest program provides guidance to help skin cancer patients and caregivers navigate the complexities in gaining access to care. Robins Nest, with the help of its patient services navigator, aims to point the public in the right direction and connect them with a carefully curated collection of internal and external resources.[13]

Research

For 40 years, The Skin Cancer Foundation has been awarding research grants to physicians and investigators to support pilot research projects related to prevention, detection and treatment of skin cancer. Since 1981, many of the grantees’ studies have led to important breakthroughs. With the help of donors, The Skin Cancer Foundation has funded more than $1.8 million in grants to date.[14]

Researchers are invited to submit applications for one-year projects to be conducted in the dermatology departments of medical institutions in the United States. Applications are open to dermatology residents, fellows and investigators within 10 years of their first academic appointment.

Advocacy

The Foundation is a founding member of the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention, a coalition of nonprofits and government organizations that collaborate on skin cancer prevention campaigns and advocacy initiatives.[15] SCF is also a charter member of the Public Access to SunScreens (PASS) Coalition, which aims to help prevent skin cancer and improve public health by ensuring Americans have access to safe and effective sunscreens and evidence-based education on sun-safe practices.[16]

In May 2014, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States issued an order to re-classify tanning beds from class 1 (low-risk) to class II (moderate-risk) devices.[17] On November 25, 2014, the Sunscreen Innovation Act was passed, streamlining the FDA's review process of new sunscreens and setting deadlines for decisions on new applications.[18]

International outreach

Public education abroad is sponsored by the International Alliance, representing 34 countries.[19] The Foundation sponsors the annual International Dermatology Exchange Program (IDEP)[20] and the biennial World Congress on Cancers of the Skin, which convenes in different countries around the world.[21] The event has become a major interdisciplinary and influential Congress for clinicians and basic scientists working in the challenging fields of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer. The Congress brings over 1,000 attendees together from around the world.

The Skin Cancer Foundation has received the American Academy of Dermatology's Excellence in Education Award and 14 Gold Triangle Awards for Community Service. GreatNonProfits.org also awarded the organization with the 2020 Top-Rated Nonprofit Badge.[22]

See also

References
  1. "Biography of Perry Robins, MD - SkinCancer.org". www.skincancer.org. Retrieved 2018-04-05.
  2. "About Us". The Skin Cancer Foundation. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
  3. "Membership". SCF - Skin Cancer Foundation Provider. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
  4. GuideStar. Skin Cancer Foundation Inc. http://www.guidestar.org/pqShowGsReport.do?partner=justgivews&ein=13-2948778. Accessed July 23, 2010.
  5. Brody, Jane E. (2019-10-14). "Staying on Guard Against Skin Cancer (Published 2019)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
  6. "Cancer Facts & Figures 2020" (PDF). American Cancer Society.
  7. Narayanan, Deevya L.; Saladi, Rao N.; Fox, Joshua L. (September 2010). "Ultraviolet radiation and skin cancer". International Journal of Dermatology. 49 (9): 978–986. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2010.04474.x. ISSN 1365-4632. PMID 20883261.
  8. "Be Safe in the Sun". American Cancer Society.
  9. "Publications". The Skin Cancer Foundation. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
  10. Jeremy. "The Skin Cancer Foundation is launching Destination: Healthy Skin, a new program designed to save lives by educating the public about effective sun protection for skin cancer prevention". www.dermascope.com. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
  11. Brody, Jane E. (2019-10-14). "Staying on Guard Against Skin Cancer (Published 2019)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
  12. "Skin Cancer Foundation Launches The Big See Campaign Encouraging Early Detection". American Spa. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
  13. "Robins Nest". The Skin Cancer Foundation. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
  14. "Research Grants". The Skin Cancer Foundation. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
  15. "Council Members : National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention". Retrieved 2020-12-02.
  16. "About Us". www.passcoalition.com. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
  17. "Tanning". United States Food and Drug Administration.
  18. "Sunscreen Innovation Act (2014 - S. 2141)". GovTrack.us. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
  19. "International Alliance". SCF - Skin Cancer Foundation Provider. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
  20. "IDEP". SCF - Skin Cancer Foundation Provider. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
  21. "World Congress on Cancers of the Skin". SCF - Skin Cancer Foundation Provider. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
  22. "Top-Rated Nonprofits - All Campaigns - Greatnonprofits.org". greatnonprofits.org. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
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