Mole Mobile on move for your dermatological needs

After soaking up the summer sun, there’s no better time to get a skin checkup.

This weekend, the Mole Mobile will set up shop at three Winnipeg Walmart locations. The mobile clinic, which receives support from the Canadian Dermatology Association, will have certified dermatologists on site to screen suspicious-looking moles or lesions for skin cancer on a first-come, first-served basis.

First launched in 2023 in Ontario, the Mole Mobile is intended to promote prevention and early detection of skin cancer. Last weekend, the clinic visited Brandon, Portage la Prairie and Selkirk, a first for Manitoba.

“We saw a number of patients who had spots that they weren’t sure if they were normal or not,” says Dr. Alexis Botkin, a local dermatologist working the Manitoba Mole Mobile stops. “It was wonderful to provide that skin screening for people who were on a wait list (to see a specialist), as well as those who don’t have a primary care provider.”

Last weekend, the dermatologists with the Mole Mobile screened 135 people. Five melanomas were detected, along with 15 lesions that were potentially skin cancers. (The Mole Mobile only operates on weekends so that participating dermatologists aren’t taking time away from their existing practices.)

“If we can find a spot early, we can save a life,” Botkin says.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Canada, yet access to dermatologists remains a barrier for many Canadians, with only about 800 dermatologists across the country, and most of those practising in major cities. On average, there are 1.9 dermatologists per 100,000 people, though in Manitoba that number is even lower, at 1.4.

“Wait times can exceed six months, which can be the difference in an early diagnosis and a later one,” says Falyn Katz, CEO for Melanoma Canada. “If we catch melanoma skin cancer early, it can be treated. But that remains a huge challenge.”

Knowing what to look for is key to early detection, which is where the so-called ABCDE-rule comes into play. When assessing moles, people should look for asymmetry, a blurry border or jagged edges, whether the mole is more than one colour or shade, a diameter greater than six millimetres, and whether it evolves or changes over time.

“We really want to keep an eye on those moles,” Katz says.

Exposure to UV light from the sun and unnatural sources is the primary cause of skin cancer, which also means that it is preventable. Wearing sunscreen or covering up when exposed to the sun and limiting outdoor activities during peak UV hours (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) can go a long way.

While public education can improve outcomes, a resurgence in sun-friendly, skin-damaging trends, such as tanmaxxing, are setting the next generation up for higher incidences of skin cancer down the line.

“We’d seen improvements in those trends, where patients were wanting to be tanned, but we’re seeing those risky sunbathing behaviours increasing,” Botkin said.

“Any tan is skin damage,” Katz said. “What may be considered sexy now, trust me, won’t be considered sexy when you’re 40, 50, or 60 and you’re dying of skin cancer.”

The Mole Mobile will be at 1000 Taylor Ave. on Friday, 1001 Empress St. on Saturday and 3655 Portage Ave. on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Wait times can vary.

“For anyone looking at a spot in their skin and wondering if it’s healthy or not,” Botkin says, “if you’re questioning, come on down and let us have a look.”

sheldon.birnie@winnipegfreepress.com