Skip to content

Prevention & Awareness Campaigns

Increasing Awareness, Saving Lives.

Nearly 93% of cutaneous melanoma cases in the US are attributable to ultraviolet (UV) exposure and are considered preventable and when caught early, most cases are very treatable and highly survivable. Despite this, over 200,000 Americans will be diagnosed with cutaneous, ocular, pediatric, mucosal or acral lentiginous melanoma, and over 8,200 will be lost to the disease.

 

The MRF is committed to increasing awareness of melanoma prevention and early detection while offering the most helpful resources for treatment, survivorship and support. Read below to learn about our current prevention and awareness campaigns and the inspiring individuals they highlight.

#GetNaked

Launched in 2014, #GetNaked is the MRF’s award-winning cutaneous (skin) melanoma early detection campaign. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, but can be highly treatable when caught in the early stages. The campaign urges everyone to #GetNaked once a month for a self-skin exam at home, and have an annual (or more often, if your doctor recommends) full body exam by a board certified dermatologist. If you discover a new, changing or otherwise suspicious spot on yourself or a loved one, make an appointment with your dermatologist as soon as possible. Since 2018, individuals featured in the #GetNaked campaign are actual melanoma patients, survivors and caregivers from the MRF community. Learn more about their stories here:

#OutOfTheShadows

Launched in 2021, #OutOfTheShadows is the MRF’s awareness campaign for mucosal melanoma, a rare subtype that makes up only 1% of all melanoma cases. As with the skin, melanocytes, the pigment producing cells of the body, are also present in the mucosal surfaces of the body, lining the sinuses, nasal passages, oral cavity, vagina, anus and other areas. Mucosal melanoma can affect areas of the body that it’s not always comfortable to talk about, and it can often be overlooked or misdiagnosed as a more common or less serious condition. #OutOfTheShadows shares the stories of mucosal melanoma patients, survivors and caregivers to increase awareness about this rare disease, its symptoms and those it affects.

#EyeGetDilated

Launched in 2016, #EyeGetDilated is the MRF’s awareness campaign for ocular (eye) melanoma (OM), a rare subtype impacting 2,000 Americans each year. In early stages OM can have few or no symptoms and it is most often discovered during a routine dilated eye exam. The #EyeGetDilated campaign encourages everyone, even those with no vision problems, to include this simple but potentially life-saving exam in their annual wellness routine.

#SPOTTheDifference & #SPOTTheDog

Launched in 2021, the #SPOTTheDifference with #SPOTTheDog is the MRF’s awareness campaign for pediatric melanoma, a rare subtype impacting approximately 500 children in the US each year. Because of its rarity and the fact that it can have a different appearance than melanoma in adults, pediatric melanoma can be often overlooked or misdiagnosed, even by a doctor. This campaign encourages parents to learn about different ways pediatric melanoma may appear on their child’s skin and closely monitor for new, changing or otherwise suspicious spots and teaches kids how to perform their own self-skin checks. Patient and caregiver stories are highlighted each September in recognition of Pediatric Melanoma Awareness Month.

Industry Partners

If your organization or employer is interested in partnering with the MRF as a sponsor of an awareness campaign, contact us at [email protected].