Is it just a mole? Or is it something more nefarious…
Melanoma Canada is helping people check for skin cancer with free screenings in North Vancouver and Whistler this month.
The organization is bringing its "Mole Mobile" to help speed up diagnosis times to improve outcomes for patients, according to a release.
The Mole Mobile will be in North Vancouver Saturday, Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Save-On-Foods on Brooksbank Avenue. In Whistler, the unit will be at Nita Lake Lodge on Aug. 27 and 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visitors will have their skin check performed by a certified Canadian dermatologist who will also provide education on skin cancer prevention and the importance of early detection.
Melanoma and skin cancer are one of the few cancers with incidence rates rising in Canada and around the world, according to the organization, with new cases increasing 1.4 per cent on average per year. Statistics from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in 2016 show one in three cancers diagnosed is skin cancer. It is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in men over 49 and among the most common in youth and young adults, Melanoma Canada said.
However, with early detection, cases are largely treatable.
The mobile unit visits major Canadian cities with long wait times to see a dermatologist, underserved communities, rural and Indigenous regions, the press release states.
No appointment is needed for the screenings, which are open to the public.
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
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