A first-of-its-kind skin cancer screening clinic-on-wheels launched in B.C. Tuesday.
On May 8, The Mole Mobile Skin Cancer Screening trailer hit the streets in Vancouver on a mission to visit remote, Indigenous, and underserved communities with historically long wait times for skin cancer screening.
The travelling skin screener is an initiative by Melanoma Canada, a melanoma and skin cancer advocacy and support group, and is presented by corporate sponsors.
The ‘Mobile’ is a marked vehicle and trailer with space for a healthcare professional or dermatologist to perform screenings within.
Melanoma Canada says melanoma and skin cancer are among the few cancers on the rise in Canada and around the world.
The goal for the Mole Mobile is for its dermatologists to perform over 25,000 mobile skin checks each summer.
Last year, Melanoma Canada says the ‘Mobile’ visited 48 cities across Ontario and Quebec, checking 5,016 people, and flagging 915 suspicious moles or legions.
According to the Melanoma Canada website, The Mole Mobile will operate for a minimum of five summers between May and September and visit a different part of the country each summer.
Hopeful patients can look for it this year across B.C. and Quebec.