Dermatologists, Join the Fight Against Misinformation

OPEN LETTER TO THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

RE: Urgent Action Needed on Widespread UV Misinformation Across Social Media

To the leadership of the National Cancer Institute:

We write to urge focused collaboration with NCI to confront the rising spread of health misinformation on social media claiming that intentional, unprotected ultraviolet (UV) exposure is beneficial. These assertions directly contradict decades of dermatologic and oncologic evidence and pose tangible, growing risks to public health.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with more than  5.5 million cases diagnosed annually (Rogers et al., JAMA Dermatology, 2015). One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70 (The Skin Cancer Foundation). Melanoma alone accounts for approximately 8,000 U.S. deaths each year (National Cancer Institute SEER Program, 2024), and incidence rates have more than tripled since the 1970s (American Cancer Society).

The facts are clear: UV radiation from the sun and indoor tanning devices is a carcinogen. The World Health Organization classifies it in the highest cancer risk category, alongside tobacco and asbestos. Yet the false notion persists that tanning can somehow be safe. Indoor tanning makes the problem worse. A BMJ meta-analysis estimated that more than 400,000 skin cancer cases annually in the U.S. and Europe are caused by tanning bed use, including more than 6,000 melanomas. Some devices emit radiation up to 15 times stronger than the midday sun. Despite laws in many states restricting minors’ access, nearly one in five American high school girls has reported using indoor tanning.

Yet social media platforms continue to amplify dangerous narratives suggesting that sunscreen is “toxic,” that tanning boosts immunity, or that sunburn is harmless. These messages are reaching young audiences at scale — and young adults (ages 15-39) represent a group with rapidly rising melanoma incidence (Hausauer et al., Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2011). Tanning-related inquiries on TikTok were up 130.8 percent in 2025, reaching 7 million daily views, and users are downloading hundreds of thousands of tanning apps that direct them to “go outside to get a healthy tan.”

“There is no such thing as a safe tan. Tanned skin is damaged skin — plain and simple — and every exposure to unprotected ultraviolet radiation increases your cumulative risk of skin cancer.” — Deborah S. Sarnoff, MD, President of The Skin Cancer Foundation

“Prevention is by far the most effective weapon we have to fight melanoma. The best sunscreen has always been the one you will use and now, with the FDA’s recent announcement of their proposal to expand the sunscreen active ingredient list this year, we will be better armed than ever to protect our skin with options that match our tastes and lifestyles.  This is the power of advocacy.” — Marc Hurlbert, PhD, CEO of the Melanoma Research Alliance

“Melanoma is a brutal disease that disfigures, financially exhausts, and kills thousands of Americans every year. The patient advocacy community works tirelessly to promote prevention through sun-safe behaviors, such as daily use of sunscreen of at least UPF 30, but the spread of misinformation on social media can make that critical prevention work much less likely to reach young people. We know that around 70,000 Americans between the ages of 15-39 are diagnosed with Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) melanoma annually. All stakeholders in this space must work together to combat the rise of misinformation online and reach people before they accumulate the ultraviolet radiation damage that can turn into skin cancer.” — Kyleigh LiPira, MBA, CEO of the Melanoma Research Foundation

“Every time you tan or burn, you damage the DNA in your skin. The more you damage your DNA, the greater your risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. That’s why protecting your skin is so important. When outside, use sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and seek shade. And never use indoor tanning devices.” — Samantha Guild, JD, President of the AIM at Melanoma Foundation

We respectfully request NCI’s partnership in these actions:

1. Issue a formal NCI health communication advisory to clarify known facts about UV exposure, melanoma risk, and sunscreen safety.
2. Coordinate data-driven messaging campaigns leveraging NCI’s credibility to counter viral misinformation patterns.
3. Engage social media platforms in a direct partnership framework — similar to COVID-era public health labeling — to flag or contextualize UV-related claims.
4. Expand NCI-supported community education efforts for adolescents and young adults — now consistently among those most influenced by online health content.

We fully recognize the NCI’s leadership in scientific integrity, transparency, and public health communication. We believe that your voice — backed by the authority of the NIH —can significantly shift the information landscape and prevent avoidable cancer cases.

We stand ready to support this effort through research, medical expertise, and public-facing outreach initiatives. By acting together, we can reinforce science-based messaging and protect millions of Americans from dangerous UV myths.

Respectfully,

The Skin Cancer Foundation
Melanoma Research Alliance
Melanoma Research Foundation
AIM at Melanoma Foundation