Impact of Social Media on Skin Cancer Prevention

Abstract

Despite the increasing prevalence of social media usage in health care contexts, its impact on skin cancer prevention and awareness has not been largely investigated. We conducted a review of literature on this topic with the objective of summarizing and analyzing the role of social media in skin cancer and sun damage awareness and to identify the uses, benefits, and limitations of different social media platforms on skin cancer prevention. In today’s technological society, it is critical to understand and study the best form of communication. Specific platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok vary in originators of material, target demographics, messaging strategies, and reliability of information with regards to skin cancer, sun, and indoor tanning damage. Our results demonstrate that social media interventions have shown promise in skin cancer prevention and continue to escalate by the day. Dermatologists should keep pace with the latest dermatological content on social media and examine its evolution to target the right audience with the proper messages. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness and true impact of social media on meaningful and lasting behavior change for skin cancer prevention.

Social Media and Skin Cancer Prevention: A Promising Platform for Education Among Adolescents and Young Adults

“…With an increase in social media usage, patients and healthcare professionals have taken to platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to promote awareness about several diseases and health conditions. 1 In the United States, 39% of adults turn to social media for health information. 1 The rising incidence of skin cancer allows for the novel use of social media to encourage skin cancer education and prevention.…”

“…1 In the United States, 39% of adults turn to social media for health information. 1 The rising incidence of skin cancer allows for the novel use of social media to encourage skin cancer education and prevention. 1 This platform may specifically benefit adolescents and young adults, as melanoma has been identified as the third most common cancer among patients aged 15-39.…”

“…1 The rising incidence of skin cancer allows for the novel use of social media to encourage skin cancer education and prevention. 1 This platform may specifically benefit adolescents and young adults, as melanoma has been identified as the third most common cancer among patients aged 15-39. 1 Instagram is a popular social media platform which garners 1 billion users each month, 90% of which are less than 35 years of age 1 .…”

“…1 This platform may specifically benefit adolescents and young adults, as melanoma has been identified as the third most common cancer among patients aged 15-39. 1 Instagram is a popular social media platform which garners 1 billion users each month, 90% of which are less than 35 years of age 1 . Instagram was identified as the social media platform with the highest number of postings about skin cancer awareness.…”

“…Instagram was identified as the social media platform with the highest number of postings about skin cancer awareness. 1 One study examining Instagram posts related to skin cancer found that content mostly focused on skin cancer treatment, the impact of sun exposure, and specific preventative measures such as the use of sunscreen and protective gear. 2 Nearly one-quarter of the posts discussed the ABCDEs of melanoma.…”