Diseases of the Skin 2026

The Sun’s Darkside: Understanding Skin Cancer - Team 37

Media Type: Website

Summary

Our PULSE assignment focuses on skin cancer, the abnormal, uncontrolled growth of cells in the outer layer of the skin, most often triggered by DNA damage from UV radiation. It can appear as new growths, changes to existing moles, or sores that won't heal. The three main types are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. We chose this topic because skin cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers globally, and yet it remains widely misunderstood and underestimated by the general public. Early detection and awareness are critical to improving outcomes, which made this a meaningful and timely subject to explore. For our format, we built an educational website that combines podcasts, written articles, and interactive quiz questions. Different people learn in different ways, and we wanted our resource to be engaging and accessible to anyone, regardless of their scientific background. The quizzes in particular help reinforce key ideas in an approachable, low-pressure way. Our goal is to raise awareness, deepen public understanding, and foster empathy for those affected by skin cancer. We hope this resource empowers people to recognize warning signs earlier, make informed choices about sun safety, and support advocacy efforts. Ultimately, we want to create a space where anyone can learn about skin cancer in a way that feels relevant and meaningful to their everyday lives.

Keywords: Skin Cancer, UV Radiation, Carcinogenesis, Melanoma, Early Detection, Cancer Prevention