Melanoma Monday®2026 · Date · History · Messages
The American Academy of Dermatology states that it launched Melanoma Monday® on 1 May 1995, has observed it every year since, and holds it on the first Monday in May as the opening of its U.S. Skin Cancer Awareness Month campaign.
About Melanoma Monday®
Melanoma Monday® is the American Academy of Dermatology’s skin-cancer awareness observance held on the first Monday in May. The AAD states that it launched the campaign on Monday, 1 May 1995, and has observed it every year since.
The observance opens the AAD’s U.S. Skin Cancer Awareness Month campaign and emphasizes education about melanoma, prevention and early detection. It is public-health education, not a diagnosis or substitute for medical care.
Why Melanoma Monday® matters
AAD uses Melanoma Monday® to encourage people to learn about melanoma and skin-cancer prevention and detection.
Awareness material can help someone know when to seek professional care, but a calendar guide cannot evaluate a mole or lesion, determine cancer risk for an individual, or guarantee access to a screening event.
History of Melanoma Monday®
The American Academy of Dermatology states that it launched Melanoma Monday® on Monday, 1 May 1995.
AAD says it has observed the campaign every year since and places Melanoma Monday® on the first Monday in May as part of Skin Cancer Awareness Month.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)
AAD states that it launched Melanoma Monday® on 1 May 1995.
American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)
The AAD’s first-party campaign history identifies the Academy as the body that launched the observance.
First documented observance
AAD says it launched Melanoma Monday® on Monday, 1 May 1995 and has observed it every year since.
American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)
AAD continues to run Melanoma Monday® as the opening of its Skin Cancer Awareness Month campaign.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
4 fields not established in reviewed sources
How to Observe Melanoma Monday®
Review current dermatologist-approved sun-protection and skin-cancer education from a reliable medical organization.
Learn how to perform a general skin self-exam using current AAD guidance while remembering that self-exams do not diagnose cancer.
If you notice a new, changing or concerning skin finding, contact an appropriate licensed clinician rather than relying on an awareness-day checklist alone.
If you are looking for a screening event, verify current local availability directly with the organizer; availability, eligibility and timing vary.
Melanoma Monday® Facts
AAD says Melanoma Monday® launched on 1 May 1995.
The observance occurs on the first Monday in May.
AAD says it has observed Melanoma Monday® every year since its launch.
The campaign is part of the AAD’s broader Skin Cancer Awareness Month work in the United States.
This guide provides general awareness information and does not diagnose melanoma or any other skin condition.
Melanoma Monday® Messages
Melanoma Monday® is a reminder to make sun safety and skin awareness part of everyday health habits.
On Melanoma Monday®, share accurate awareness information without turning general guidance into personal diagnosis.
Here’s to informed prevention, early attention to concerning changes and access to qualified medical care.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Health Information Not Medical Advice.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
American Academy of Dermatology — Skin Cancer Awareness Month / Melanoma Monday® (opens in a new tab)
Professional Medical Association
American Academy of Dermatology — member campaign overview (opens in a new tab)
Professional Medical Association
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is Melanoma Monday®?
First Monday in May The documented recurrence rule is: First Monday in May.
Does Melanoma Monday® fall on the same date every year?
It follows a recurring calendar rule, so the Gregorian date can change from year to year.
Is Melanoma Monday® an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: American Academy of Dermatology U.S. skin-cancer awareness campaign. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes Melanoma Monday®?
The reviewed sources identify American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) as the proclaiming or establishing body. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).
Is Melanoma Monday® international or country-specific?
No single country is assigned to this observance. Its documented scope is: American Academy of Dermatology U.S. skin-cancer awareness campaign. Use that scope rather than assuming worldwide or country-specific status.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-10-05.
When is Melanoma Monday®?
It is held on the first Monday in May each year.
Who started Melanoma Monday®?
The American Academy of Dermatology states that it launched the observance on 1 May 1995.
Is Melanoma Monday® still observed?
Yes. AAD says it has observed the campaign every year since 1995 and continues to use it as part of Skin Cancer Awareness Month.
Can a self-exam tell me whether I have melanoma?
No. A self-exam can help you notice changes, but diagnosis requires appropriate medical evaluation.
Are free skin checks available everywhere on Melanoma Monday®?
No. Screening availability varies by location, year and organizer. Verify any event directly before relying on it.
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