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EnglishWhat Is skincancer.org and What Does It Offer?
Updated
skincancer.org is the official website of The Skin Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1979. It is an educational resource—not a clinic—offering medically reviewed information on skin cancer prevention, early detection, risks, causes, and treatment. It's worth using if you want to learn how to check your skin, understand warning signs, or find prevention guidance; it is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a healthcare professional.
Who runs the site
The Skin Cancer Foundation describes itself as having "set the standard for educating the public and the medical community about skin cancer" since 1979, with a focus on prevention through sun protection, early detection, and prompt treatment. The site states the Foundation is a nonprofit that relies on donor funds.
That matters for how you read the content: the material is educational and prevention-oriented, and the organization asks visitors to support its work. It does not present itself as a provider of clinical care.
What you can find there
The homepage organizes its main resources into a few clear paths:
| Resource | What it gives you |
|---|---|
| Melanoma warning signs | A guide to spotting this dangerous skin cancer early, "when it's easiest to treat" |
| "What Does Skin Cancer Look Like?" | Pictures of common skin cancers |
| Skin cancer stats & facts | Plain-language background on "the world's most common cancer" |
| The Big See® campaign | A self-check method: examine your skin head-to-toe once a month and watch for new, changing, or unusual spots |
| Free screening & education program | A program you can follow for screening and education |
| Sun & skin news blog and newsletter | Ongoing updates, e.g., a monthly skin health update |
The site also includes a UV index lookup by city, framed as a daily sun-protection prompt. Note the site's own caveat: the Daily Max UV Index is described as "non-medical opinion" for illustrative purposes and should not be used to prevent, diagnose, or treat a medical condition.
The numbers it cites
The homepage presents several statistics to frame risk:
- 20% of Americans will develop skin cancer.
- More than 9,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer every day.
- Having 5+ sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma.
- The melanoma early-detection 5-year survival rate in the U.S. is 99%.
These are the Foundation's own published figures; treat them as the organization's educational messaging rather than independently verified data.
How to use it well
- Start with the self-check framework. The Big See's three words—new, changing, unusual—give you a concrete filter for what to notice on your skin.
- Use the image guides for orientation, not diagnosis. Pictures of common skin cancers help you understand what clinicians look for, but skin cancer has many appearances.
- Take a concerning finding to a professional. The site's stated purpose is early detection and prompt, effective treatment—the detection step is yours, the diagnosis is not.
- Check the blog for updates if you want recurring prevention and awareness content.
What it is not
skincancer.org does not appear to offer appointments, personalized medical advice, or treatment. If you have a spot that is new, changing, or unusual, the appropriate next step is seeing a qualified healthcare provider—the site's guidance supports that decision rather than replacing it.