The Skin Cancer Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF), founded in 1979 by dermatologist and Mohs surgeon Perry Robins, MD, is an international organization devoted to the prevention, detection, and treatment of skin cancer
. The Foundation is headquartered in New York City and is a 501(c)(3) public charity.
The world’s most common cancer
, skin cancer affects two million people and kills over 10,000 people in the US annually. The vast majority of skin cancers are associated with ultraviolet
(UV) radiation from the sun
. The incidence and impact of skin cancer can be dramatically reduced through education, behavior modification
, and early detection.
, UV-protective auto and residential window film
, umbrellas, sun protective clothing
, and laundry additives that meet the criteria of an independent Photobiology
Committee.
The Road to Healthy Skin Tour presented by Aveeno
and Rite Aid
, a traveling skin cancer screening
and resource center that visits nearly 80 cities each year.
Go With Your Own Glow, a print ad campaign to encourage people not to tan.
The Sunsational Guide to Smart Sun Safety: Fun in the Sun 101 (SkinCancer.org/School), a program for middle school children.
in 2009. Since indoor ultraviolet (UV) tanning is associated with an increased risk of all forms of skin cancer, the Foundation also campaigns for the stricter regulation of UV tanning beds and lamps.
The Skin Cancer Foundation has received the American Academy of Dermatology
’s Excellence in Education Award and 14 Gold Triangle Awards for Community Service.
Skin cancer
Skin neoplasms are skin growths with differing causes and varying degrees of malignancy. The three most common malignant skin cancers are basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer, and melanoma, each of which is named after the type of skin cell from which it arises...
. The Foundation is headquartered in New York City and is a 501(c)(3) public charity.
The world’s most common cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
, skin cancer affects two million people and kills over 10,000 people in the US annually. The vast majority of skin cancers are associated with ultraviolet
Ultraviolet
Ultraviolet light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than that of visible light, but longer than X-rays, in the range 10 nm to 400 nm, and energies from 3 eV to 124 eV...
(UV) radiation from the sun
Sun
The Sun is the star at the center of the Solar System. It is almost perfectly spherical and consists of hot plasma interwoven with magnetic fields...
. The incidence and impact of skin cancer can be dramatically reduced through education, behavior modification
Behavior modification
Behavior modification is the use of empirically demonstrated behavior change techniques to increase or decrease the frequency of behaviors, such as altering an individual's behaviors and reactions to stimuli through positive and negative reinforcement of adaptive behavior and/or the reduction of...
, and early detection.
Public Information
Annually, the Foundation distributes over two million pieces of medically reviewed educational information on sun protection and skin cancer, including brochures; posters; The Skin Cancer Foundation Journal; the quarterlies The Melanoma Letter for physicians and Sun & Skin News for consumers. The public can obtain information by writing to the organization, and patients seeking referrals may consult the Physician Finder at www.SkinCancer.org.The Seal of Recommendation
Sun protection products with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15+ or a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) of 30+ may be eligible to apply for the Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation. The Seal is granted to sunscreens, sunglassesSunglasses
Sunglasses or sun glasses are a form of protective eyewear designed primarily to prevent bright sunlight and high-energy visible light from damaging or discomforting the eyes. They can sometimes also function as a visual aid, as variously termed spectacles or glasses exist, featuring lenses that...
, UV-protective auto and residential window film
Window film
There are many types of window tint available in the market for a wide variety of uses from solar heat reduction to UV protection, privacy to safety and security, decorative applications to heat retention.- Primary properties :...
, umbrellas, sun protective clothing
Sun protective clothing
Sun protective clothing is clothing specifically designed for sun protection and is produced from a fabric rated for its level of ultraviolet protection. A novel weave structure and denier may produce sun protective properties...
, and laundry additives that meet the criteria of an independent Photobiology
Photobiology
Photobiology is the scientific study of the interactions of light and living organisms. The field includes the study of photosynthesis, photomorphogenesis, visual processing, circadian rhythms, bioluminescence, and ultraviolet radiation effects...
Committee.
Research
Funding is provided annually for research and clinical studies. Ninety research grants have been awarded since 1981, totaling almost $1 million. Proposals are evaluated by the Foundation’s Grants Review Committee.Programs, Advocacy, and International Outreach
Current Skin Cancer Foundation programs include:The Road to Healthy Skin Tour presented by Aveeno
Aveeno
Aveeno is a manufacturer of skin care and hair care products in the United States and is a subsidiary of American consumer goods and pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson. Aveeno was founded in 1945, and its first product was their Soothing Bath Treatment...
and Rite Aid
Rite Aid
Rite Aid is a drugstore chain in the United States and a Fortune 500 company headquartered in East Pennsboro Township, Pennsylvania, near Camp Hill. Rite Aid is the largest drugstore chain on the East Coast and the third largest drugstore chain in the U.S....
, a traveling skin cancer screening
Cancer screening
Cancer screening aims to detect cancer before symptoms appear. This may involve blood tests, urine tests, other tests, or medical imaging. The benefits of screening in terms of cancer prevention, early detection and subsequent treatment must be weighed against any harms.Universal screening, mass...
and resource center that visits nearly 80 cities each year.
Go With Your Own Glow, a print ad campaign to encourage people not to tan.
The Sunsational Guide to Smart Sun Safety: Fun in the Sun 101 (SkinCancer.org/School), a program for middle school children.
Advocacy
The Foundation is a core member of The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention, a coordinating body that seeks to establish a national action agenda on skin cancer. The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention secured $4 million for melanoma research from the United States Department of DefenseUnited States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
in 2009. Since indoor ultraviolet (UV) tanning is associated with an increased risk of all forms of skin cancer, the Foundation also campaigns for the stricter regulation of UV tanning beds and lamps.
International Outreach
Public education abroad is sponsored by the Foundation’s International Advisory Council, representing 23 countries. The Foundation sponsors the annual International Dermatology Exchange Program and the biennial World Congress on Cancers of the Skin.The Skin Cancer Foundation has received the American Academy of Dermatology
American Academy of Dermatology
The American Academy of Dermatology is the largest organization of dermatologists in the world. It was founded in 1938 and represents 17,000 dermatologists in the United States, Canada, and around the world. The Academy grants Fellowships and Associate Memberships, as well as Fellowships for...
’s Excellence in Education Award and 14 Gold Triangle Awards for Community Service.
See also
- Basal Cell CarcinomaBasal cell carcinomaBasal-cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It rarely metastasizes or kills. However, because it can cause significant destruction and disfigurement by invading surrounding tissues, it is still considered malignant. Statistically, approximately 3 out of 10 Caucasians may develop a...
- Squamous Cell CarcinomaSquamous cell carcinomaSquamous cell carcinoma , occasionally rendered as "squamous-cell carcinoma", is a histologically distinct form of cancer. It arises from the uncontrolled multiplication of malignant cells deriving from epithelium, or showing particular cytological or tissue architectural characteristics of...
- MelanomaMelanomaMelanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce the dark pigment, melanin, which is responsible for the color of skin. They predominantly occur in skin, but are also found in other parts of the body, including the bowel and the eye...
- Dysplastic Nevi