5 Ways to Promote Skin Cancer Prevention Month

May is Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. As the people in your area are putting away winter clothes, sprucing up gardens and making plans for summer, you can also make sure they’re thinking about protecting their skin! Here are some easy ways you can help them do that.

First, collect some inexpensive giveaways, including educational materials, as well as UV-sensitive wristbands and stickers that can remind people of their sun exposure. Reputable sources for statistics and promotional materials include: the Skin Cancer Foundation, the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The Environmental Protection Agency.

Contact local media to discuss skin-cancer awareness. It’s a great way to do good work AND build your CV. Reach out to health and lifestyle reporters at your regional television and radio stations, as well as newspapers, magazines, blogs and social media pages. Need help getting started? Check out this article from the Huffington Post on how to build a media list.

Partner with local pharmacies to organize skin-cancer awareness events in May. You can offer informative and helpful giveaways, and you can also provide skin-cancer screenings.

Visit local schools to conduct a skin-cancer awareness assembly or workshops, teaching kids why it’s so important to protect their skin. You may even be able to work with teachers to integrate skin-cancer prevention into science or health curricula throughout the year.

Share on social media - not just in May, but all year round! Use or create Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or YouTube profiles for your professional identity and/or your practice, and regularly post information and tips.