AIM at Skin Cancer Foundation

06/02/2026

Actinic keratosis may look like a small dry patch or rough spot on the skin — but it can be an early warning sign of skin damage that should never be ignored.

Often caused by years of sun exposure, actinic keratosis commonly appears on the face, scalp, ears, hands, and arms. Many people describe it as feeling like sandpaper before they can clearly see it.

These spots may:
• feel rough, scaly, or crusty
• appear pink, red, tan, or skin-colored
• itch, burn, or become tender
• resemble a sore that doesn’t fully heal

While actinic keratosis is considered precancerous, early detection and treatment can help prevent it from developing into squamous cell skin cancer.

If you notice a spot that keeps returning, feels persistently rough, or simply doesn’t seem right, it’s important to have it evaluated by a dermatologist.

Awareness matters. Early action matters. Your skin remembers every season of sun it has lived through.

https://aimatskincancer.org/skin-cancer-images/

06/01/2026

Has your skin cancer come back—or are you worried about the possibility?

For many older adults, a recurrence of Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) or Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) can bring new questions and concerns. Knowing what to watch for and understanding your treatment options can help you feel more confident and prepared.

Join us on June 15 for a free 30-minute webinar, When Skin Cancer Returns: Best Practices in Recurrence Management, featuring Dr. Nikhil Khushalani, Vice Chair for the Department of Cutaneous Oncology at Moffitt Cancer Center.

In this patient-friendly discussion, you'll learn:
✔ What skin cancer recurrence means
✔ Signs and symptoms to watch for
✔ How recurrence is treated
✔ The importance of follow-up care
✔ Questions to ask your healthcare team

Whether you've experienced a recurrence, are currently in follow-up care, or simply want to be informed, this webinar will provide practical information to help you take an active role in your skin health.

📅 June 15, 2026 | 12:00 - 12:30 pm ET
🖥️ Free Online Webinar

Register today and join us for this important conversation.
https://aimatskincancer.org/resources/webinars/

05/31/2026

Squamous cell skin cancer is the second most common form of skin cancer, yet many people mistake it for a sore, dry patch, wart, or irritation that will eventually go away on its own.

Often, it doesn’t.

Many squamous cell skin cancers appear as:
• a wound that won’t heal
• a rough or crusty bump
• a red, scaly patch of skin
• a growth that bleeds easily
• a sore that heals and then returns again

Because these spots can develop slowly, they are often ignored — especially on areas like the ears, scalp, neck, arms, or lips where years of sun exposure quietly leave their mark.

That’s why we created this image gallery: to help people recognize the signs earlier and understand what suspicious changes can actually look like on real skin.

The images include different appearances of squamous cell skin cancer, from flat scaly patches to raised growths and persistent sores.

Take a moment to look through them. Sometimes awareness begins with simply recognizing that something on your skin is not healing the way it should.

https://aimatskincancer.org/skin-cancer-images/

05/29/2026

Many people imagine skin cancer as a dark mole — but basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer, can look very different. It may appear as a shiny bump, a sore that doesn’t heal, a pink patch, a scab that keeps returning, or even an area that looks like a scar.

And because it often grows slowly, many people dismiss it for months — or even years.

That’s why we created this image gallery: to help people recognize the warning signs earlier.

The gallery includes real examples of basal cell carcinoma on different parts of the body and explains what to watch for, including:
• sores that bleed or crust
• pearly or translucent bumps
• patches that itch or won’t heal
• waxy or scar-like areas on the skin

Early detection matters. The sooner skin cancer is found, the easier it is to treat.

Take a few minutes to look through the images — not to scare yourself, but to become familiar with your skin and notice when something changes.

https://aimatskincancer.org/skin-cancer-images/

05/27/2026

Yes — and in many ways, aging skin may need sun protection even more.

By older adulthood, the skin has already accumulated decades of ultraviolet (UV) damage from everyday life: driving, gardening, outdoor work, walking, sports, and years spent in the sun.

As skin ages, it also becomes:
• thinner and more fragile
• less able to repair UV damage
• lower in collagen and elasticity
• and less protected by melanin, the pigment that helps defend against UV radiation

That means UV exposure continues damaging the skin later in life, increasing the risk of:
• actinic keratoses (precancers)
• basal cell carcinoma
• squamous cell carcinoma
• and additional skin cancers after a previous diagnosis

There are two main types of sunscreen:

• Mineral sunscreen
Mineral sunscreens contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These ingredients help protect the skin by scattering and absorbing ultraviolet radiation. They are often recommended for sensitive, fragile, or aging skin because they are generally less likely to cause irritation.

• Chemical sunscreen
Chemical sunscreens contain active ingredients that absorb UV radiation before it damages the skin. The UV energy is then converted into heat and released from the skin. These sunscreens are often lighter in texture and easier to blend into the skin.

Both types can effectively help protect against sun damage and skin cancer when used correctly.

Dermatologists generally recommend:
• broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher
• daily sunscreen use
• reapplying during prolonged outdoor exposure
• and additional protection through hats, shade, sunglasses, and protective clothing

Sun protection still matters at every age because the skin continues responding to UV exposure throughout life.

AIMatSkinCancer.org

05/27/2026

Skin cancer is becoming more common, especially among older adults who have spent decades working outdoors, gardening, golfing, walking, driving, or simply enjoying time in the sun before we fully understood the long-term effects of ultraviolet (UV) exposure.

During AIM at Skin Cancer’s recent webinar, “The Rising Toll: Understanding the Surge in Skin Cancer Mortality,” we invited Wesley Yu, M.D., to discuss why rates continue to rise, how sun damage builds over time, and what patients can do now to better protect themselves and detect skin cancer early.

One important message was clear throughout the conversation: it is never too late to protect your skin.

https://aimatskincancer.org/awareness/the-rising-toll-of-skin-cancer/

REGISTER Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States—it is estimated that more than 5 million new cases are diagnosed each year—more than all other cancers combined. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell skin cancer account for the vast majority of cases. Stay informed an...

05/26/2026

Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Format: Held Virtually via Zoom (register below)
Time: 5:30 pm ET, 4:30 pm CT, 3:30 pm MT, 2:30 pm PT

Join leading experts in dermatology, medical oncology, and surgical oncology for an important conversation about skin cancer in pigmented skin — a topic that remains widely misunderstood.

This educational symposium will explore how skin cancer presents differently in people with darker skin tones, common misconceptions surrounding risk, barriers to diagnosis, treatment options, prevention strategies, and the importance of community awareness and advocacy.

Speakers:
Yolanda C. Holmes, MD, FAAD
Medical Director
Washington DC Dermatology

Mariam El-Ashmawy, MD, PhD
Medical Oncologist
Assistant Professor
Department of Internal Medicine
UT Southwestern Medical Center

Adrienne Shannon, MD
Surgical Oncologist
Assistant Professor
Department of Surgery
UT Southwestern Medical Center

Program Agenda
5:30 PM — Welcome
5:35 PM — Skin Cancer in Pigmented Skin
Why awareness matters
Unique features of skin cancer in pigmented skin
Common misconceptions and risk factors
5:55 PM — Skin Cancer 101
Diagnosis and early detection
Treatment approaches
The role of radiation oncology
Emerging and supportive therapies
6:15 PM — Prevention Tips & Community Action
Practical prevention strategies, education, advocacy, and ways communities can improve awareness and outcomes.

6:25 PM — AIM at Skin Cancer Resources
Presented by Ann Garst Taylor, AIM at Skin Cancer Foundation

6:30 PM — Live Q&A
An opportunity for attendees to ask questions directly to the panel of experts.

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, AIM at Skin Cancer honors and remembers the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

We also recognize the lasting impact military service can have on health, including increased risks of melanoma and other skin cancers tied to prolonged sun exposure and environmental conditions during service.

As we remember those we have lost, we remain committed to education, awareness, research, and support for veterans and families impacted by skin cancer.

Today, we pause in gratitude for the sacrifices made by so many in the name of service and freedom.

05/23/2026

Watching, waiting, cheering, catching up—time outside adds up.
At the playground.
At practice.
At weekend games.
On the sidelines of everyday life.
Even when you’re not the one doing the activity, your skin is still exposed to UV.

Small moments. Smart choices.
Protect your skin with sunscreen, hats, and protective clothing.

Every Day. Everywhere.
Learn more at AIMatSkinCancer.org

05/22/2026

Skin cancer disproportionately affects older adults — and veterans may face unique risks tied to military service, prolonged sun exposure, rural healthcare access, and the long-term effects of aging and chronic illness.

We’re grateful to Rebecca I. Hartman, MD, MPH, FAAD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School, Director of Melanoma Epidemiology in the Department of Dermatology at Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Associate Chief of the Dermatology Section in Medicine at VA Boston Healthcare System, for joining Aim at Skin Cancer to share important insights on the challenges veterans face when it comes to melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma, as well as the evolving efforts to improve access to care through teledermatology and early detection programs.

These conversations matter because education, awareness, and access can make a meaningful difference in outcomes and quality of life.

Veterans often face unique risks for skin cancer due to years of sun exposure during active duty. In this webinar from AIM at Skin Cancer’s series A Closer L...