Educating the public — Skin Cancer Awareness Month 2021

Melanoma Monday® launched the AAD’s month-long, national Skin Cancer Awareness Campaign in May. Every year, the AAD advances this public education effort to position you as the experts in diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer and educate the public about skin cancer prevention and detection. Continuing the success and momentum of the Academy’s #PracticeSafeSun campaign, we introduced innovative tactics into the campaign to expand its reach and further position the specialty.

Media relations

2021 SPOT Skin Cancer survey

The AAD’s 2021 SPOT Skin Cancer survey helped us learn more about the public’s sun-protection habits. The data was published in a catchy, yet meaningful way to pique the media’s interest for Skin Cancer Awareness Month. A major finding: “One-third of Americans failed a basic quiz on skin cancer and sun exposure.” But together, we will turn this around.

Social media

Our Instagram channel @AADskin1 was our social media home for the #PracticeSafeSun campaign and included a variety of innovative tactics, including:

Instagram Live, featuring Fatima Fahs, MD, FAAD (@dermydoctor), who teamed up with @AADskin1 for a conversation on how to #PracticeSafeSun.

Instagram Reels, featuring weekly sun safety topics.

Instagram Giveaway, a chance to win #PracticeSafeSun and SPOT branded gear including a beach towel, sunglasses, and a sunglass case.

PracticeSafeSun.org


PracticeSafeSun.org campaign’s web hub included key messages, infographics, and links to additional resources and information, and an interactive test of the public’s knowledge on sun protection and skin cancer. Bragging rights were in order for quiz takers who earned a perfect score and shared it on social media.