Recognizing Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month 2025

It is estimated that over 5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year, making it America’s most common cancer.¹ This Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month, Dermatology Times spotlighted resources, highlighted emerging therapies, and spoke with numerous experts who specialize in skin cancer and are working to improve patient outcomes. We thank our audience of clinicians who continue to educate their patients, emphasize early detection, and save lives in the fight against melanoma and other skin cancers. Below is a collection of pieces from the month of May dedicated to skin cancer prevention and treatment.

The Skin Cancer Foundation Photobiology Committee Announces Updated Criteria for Seal of Recommendation During Skin Cancer Awareness Month

The Skin Cancer Foundation Photobiology Committee announced new standards for the Seal of Recommendation earned by products that meet its criteria for safe and effective sun protection against the two types of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that have been directly linked to skin cancer: UVA and UVB. The Photobiology Committee also issued a public safety warning regarding the prevalence of sun protection misinformation amid growing skin cancer rates in the U.S.

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DecisionDx-Melanoma Test Outperforms Staging and CP-GEP in Identifying Patients Unlikely to Benefit from Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

A recently published study in Cancer Diagnosis & Prognosis reaffirmed the clinical utility of DecisionDx-Melanoma, a genomic risk assessment test developed by Castle Biosciences. This research highlights the test’s superiority over both traditional staging systems and competing molecular models in determining which melanoma patients have a low risk of sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis and may safely avoid sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB).

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Exploring the Long-Term Psychosocial Impacts of Stage IV Melanoma in Survivors

A recent trial has evaluated persistent psychosocial effects and long-term toxicity in stage IV melanoma survivors. This study is the first of its kind to evaluate the long-term psychological impacts of late-stage melanoma.

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Rare Autoimmune Disorder Linked With Increased Risk of Certain Skin Cancers

Patients with mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) have a heightened risk of various types of skin cancer, particularly squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), according to a retrospective study published in Frontiers in Medicine. The findings highlight the importance of skin cancer screening among patients with the rare autoimmune disease.

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The State of Melanoma Care: Advances, Access, and the Road Ahead (Dermatology Times Exclusive)

This Melanoma Monday, we took a look at melanoma care in the US, from treatments to persistent gaps in access, early detection, and long-term outcomes through this slideshow.

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Missed Diagnoses, Missed Opportunities: Closing the Gap in Skin Cancer for Patients of Color

As a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon, I spend most of my time treating skin cancer and reassuring patients as they face one of the scariest moments of their lives. Although this is a daily occurrence, some cases never leave your thoughts—even after clinic is over. One patient has never left my mind: A 50-year-old Black man who came to the emergency department because of a bleeding lesion on the bottom of his foot. By the time he was finally diagnosed with acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), the cancer had already metastasized.

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Melanoma Research Foundation and Glowbar Join Forces to Fight Skin Cancer

In celebration of May’s Melanoma Awareness Month, the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) is collaborating with Glowbar, a membership-based service that specializes in accessible, results-driven facials for patients to utilize alongside their regular dermatological care. This is the company’s first philanthropic partnership since its founding in June 2019. In an exclusive interview with Dermatology Times, Rachel Liverman, the founder and CEO of Glowbar, spoke about the company’s pledge to increase overall SPF usage, raise awareness of melanoma prevention, and combine everyday self-care with patient skin health.

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Q&A: Laura Scott, MD, FAAD, and Sun Bum on the Road to Accessible Sun Safety

As the summer months draw closer, sun safety and skin cancer awareness are more important than ever. Brand initiatives, such as Sun Bum’s “Trust the Bum Tour,” are working to make educational resources and broad-spectrum SPF products more accessible for patients across the country. Laura Scott, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and owner of Scott & Co. Skin in Del Mar, California, spoke to Dermatology Times about the significance of this new campaign, how it addresses misconceptions around sun care, and why initiatives like this are crucial for reaching diverse populations and encouraging lifelong sun-safe habits.

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The Skin Cancer Foundation Raises $800,000 at Annual Champions for Change Gala

On May 14, The Skin Cancer Foundation held its signature annual fundraising Champions for Change Gala at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City. The event raised more than $800,000 to support the organization’s educational campaigns, community programs and research initiatives.

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Transforming Risk Stratification in Melanoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma

A key takeaway from the recent Dermatology Times Case-Based Peer Perspective custom video series Maximizing Impact and Utility of Prognostic Gene Testing in Melanoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma is that integrating molecular testing into routine clinical practice can significantly enhance risk stratification and guide personalized treatment plans. Led by David Cotter, MD, PhD, a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Las Vegas, Nevada, the series emphasizes that traditional staging methods, though useful, often fall short in capturing the full spectrum of a patient’s risk, especially in complex cases.
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Derm Dispatch: Discussing Early Detection and Education With a Melanoma Survivor

In the latest Derm Dispatch for Dermatology Times, Renata Block, MMS, PA-C, a dermatology physician assistant practicing in Chicago, Illinois, sat down with melanoma survivor and advocate Sarah Ogletree for a deeply personal conversation. Their dialogue sheds light on the sudden and shocking nature of melanoma diagnosis, the importance of regular skin exams, and the powerful transformation from patient to advocate.

Space Science is Revolutionizing Cancer Research

Microgravity and cosmic radiation may play a key role in the behavior of cancer cells, interactions within the tumor microenvironment, and immune responses, according to a new study. The study, published in the journal Trends in Cancer, examined the potential role of the space environment and space research in revolutionizing care for patients with various cancers, including melanomas.

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Evolving Melanoma Outcomes and Care: Insights from Victor Gall, MD

As summer approaches and sun exposure increases, the risk of melanoma, one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer, becomes a growing public health concern. In 2025, the American Cancer Society estimates nearly 105,000 new cases will be diagnosed, with over 8,000 lives lost to the disease. The month of May, recognized as Skin Cancer Awareness Month, is a vital time to emphasize prevention, early detection, and the importance of routine skin checks in patients, especially as melanoma rates rise among women over 50. Dermatology Times spoke with Victor Gall, MD, surgical oncologist at Community Medical Center and Monmouth Medical Center, part of RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.

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Derm Dispatch: Advocating for Skin and Nail Health to Spread Melanoma Awareness

In the latest installment of Derm Dispatch for Dermatology Times, Renata Block, MMS, PA-C, spoke with Karolina Jasko, a melanoma survivor and advocate for skin health, highlighting the importance of melanoma awareness. Jasko's journey and her passion for spreading knowledge about skin cancer serve as reminders of the significance of early detection and regular dermatological check-ups.

Dermalyser Secures CE Mark in Europe for AI-Powered Melanoma Detection Tool

AI Medical Technology (AIM) announced that it has received CE mark certification for Dermalyser, its artificial intelligence (AI)-driven diagnostic decision support tool for melanoma.1 This regulatory milestone enables the tool's immediate commercial use across Europe, with a US launch anticipated in 2027 pending FDA 510(k) clearance.
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Beyond the Clinic: How the Mobile Destination Healthy Skin Initiative Saved Peter Graylin’s Life

As we celebrate Skin Cancer Awareness Month, Peter Graylin, MBA, Deputy Chief Legal Officer of Colgate-Palmolive’s international division and melanoma survivor, spoke to Dermatology Times about a chance encounter that would profoundly change his life. His skin cancer journey began in the summer of 2022, when his brother-in-law noticed an irregular spot on his calf. Graylin dismissed it as he had historically approached skin care, sun safety, and dermatology with what he admits was “contemptuous neglect.” But according to Graylin, fate intervened days later.
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Reference

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month!. Skin Cancer Foundation. Updated April 2025. Accessed May 29, 2025. https://www.skincancer.org/get-involved/skin-cancer-awareness-month/