Skin Cancer Misconceptions, Illustrated

People say the darndest things when they've never had skin cancer. Our advocates shared the craziest things they've heard from others when it comes to skin cancer and sun safety. We've illustrated them to show just how misunderstood skin cancer can be:

It's only skin

Despite our best efforts, some people don't get it. One man brushed off a melanoma advocate's advice when he warned him about a suspicious spot. In fact, skin cancer can be life-threatening, unending, and exhausting both emotionally and physically.

It's not "cancer-cancer"

"It's not real cancer," "It's not serious," "It's just burned off." There's a misconception that because some skin cancers are treatable, they're not a big deal.

Tanning beds are totally safe!?

One skin cancer advocate remembers being told that tanning beds don't cause skin cancer. It's hard to imagine believing this despite evidence to the contrary, including the advocate's many skin cancer scars.

Efudex won't be that bad

There might be more awareness about skin cancer now than before, but doctors can still downplay what treatments will be like.