Skin Check Services: Now at Pure Pharmacy

The MetaOptima Team | Dec 19, 2017 | MoleScope SkinCheck TeleDermatology

* This service is not available anymore! 

Skin cancer is something that affects us all. Did you know that one in seven Canadians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime? The good news is that when detected early, melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) has a survival rate of over 98%! The bad news? This drops to only 16% if discovered later on. This means that discovering skin cancer as soon as possible is essential to ensuring you and your skin stay happy and healthy.

How Can I Protect Myself?

An very simple way to detect melanoma as early as possible is to perform monthly self skin checks. It only takes a few minutes of your time each month, but it can make all the difference. These can be done at home on your own, or with a partner.

When performing a skin check, you should look for the ABCDs of melanoma. A spot is suspicious if it has:

• Asymmetry: two different halves

• Border: jagged edges

• Color: multiple colors that look blotchy

• Diameter: a width of over 6 mm

• Evolution: been growing- your spots shouldn’t change size over time!

It can be hard not knowing what to expect, especially when it comes to skin cancer. However, with a little bit of research, vigilant skin checks and taking care of your skin you can be prepared. It’s always better to be safe than sorry! Remember, tender, bleeding, or changing bumps on your skin shouldn’t be ignored, even if they don’t look suspicious!

In addition to personal skin checks, it’s a good idea to get your skin examined by an expert, especially for any suspicious moles. Starting January 2018, these can now be performed at six Pure Pharmacy locations in the lower mainland. It’s quick, easy, and affordable. Instead of waiting over eight months to see a dermatologist, you can receive a professional report in a few days!

How Does It Work?

Your checkup is nothing to worry about! Pure Pharmacy will be using MoleScopes to provide you with safe, fast and convenient services. By attaching the MoleScope to their phone, the trained staff will be able to take high quality images of your skin for a medical professional to review.

When you arrive for your appointment, you will be seated with a staff member, where they will review your mole history and ask if you have a preference for which mole is scanned. The staff will take a high-resolution image with the MoleScope and securely share the image with a local dermatologist for review. Then that's it! You will receive your consultation result within five business days!

Where Can I Get A Skin Check Done?

* This service is not available anymore!