Counteracting the shortage of health care professionals in Canada, the Mole Mobile travels throughout Canada to provide care to patients directly.
In an exciting leap forward, Melanoma Canada’s Mole Mobile is rewriting the rules of health care accessibility, making skin cancer screening available to thousands of Canadians. This innovative mobile skin cancer screening unit, the first of its kind in Canada, recently completed its tour of Ontario after covering an impressive 8,192 kilometres and making stops in 42 communities. The unit stopped in major cities with long wait times to see a dermatologist as well as remote, Indigenous, and underserved communities.
Bringing screenings directly to communities
From May 2 to November 4, 2023, the Mole Mobile provided free skin cancer screenings to 4,078 patients in Ontario, giving them the advantage of timely diagnoses. Through the expertise of certified Canadian dermatologists on board, 772 suspicious lesions were identified, potentially saving lives and improving patient outcomes. Dr. Julia Carroll, a member of Melanoma Canada’s Board of Directors and Chair of the 2023 Mole Mobile program, expressed pride in the initiative’s impact, saying, “With the Mole Mobile we were able to go directly into patients’ communities and to diagnose skin cancers early, which greatly improves outcomes for these patients.”
But, why the Mole Mobile? It’s a response to the shortage of health care professionals, especially dermatologists, in Canada, which leads to frustratingly long wait times for appointments. By bringing screenings directly to communities, the Mole Mobile ensures that individuals receive timely diagnoses and follow-up care.
With the Mole Mobile we were able to go directly into patients’ communities and to diagnose skin cancers early, which greatly improves outcomes for these patients.
Skin cancers are one of the few cancers with incidence rates on the rise in Canada. In fact, one in three cancers diagnosed are skin cancer. This not only takes a toll on individuals but also costs the health care system over $500 million annually, with advanced cases reaching over $160,000 per patient. The shortage of dermatologists, especially in remote areas, along with delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, contributes to delays in treatments being administered and thus lowers patient survival rates.
Expanding the fleet
The Mole Mobile isn’t just a quick fix, either — it’s a wake-up call for accessible dermatological care. With plans to tour the country over a five-year period (dependent on financial support), the Mole Mobile aims to make skin cancer screenings accessible to all Canadians.
Following its success in Ontario, Melanoma Canada will expand its fleet, introducing a second mobile skin cancer screening unit. The Mole Mobiles will travel across British Columbia and Quebec in 2024. The Mole Mobile’s second tour, starting in May, will kick off during Melanoma Canada’s Smash Out Skin Cancer Pickleball Tournament in Montreal, featuring Hollywood actor Billy Baldwin, a dedicated supporter of Melanoma Canada.
As Melanoma Canada’s Mole Mobile continues its mission, it not only addresses immediate health care needs but also highlights broader health care challenges in Canada. By providing access to screenings and education on self-screening, and promoting sun safety, the Mole Mobile represents a significant step toward improving overall patient outcomes and reducing the incidence of melanoma and skin cancer in the country.
Ready to learn more or help fund Canada’s first mobile skin cancer screening unit? For additional information about Melanoma Canada’s Mole Mobile and its upcoming tours, visit molemobile.ca.
This article was made possible with support from a member of Innovative Medicines Canada.
