Melanoma Canada’s Mole Mobile has arrived in Kelowna to offer free skin cancer screening for residents. This mobile clinic gives people the chance to see a dermatologist without a referral or long wait. It was parked at Save-On-Foods on Lakeshore Road on Friday, July 25. The service continues on Saturday, July 26, at Save-On-Foods on Cooper Road from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. No appointment is needed. Screenings are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Mole Mobile is a walk-in service designed to give people quick and free access to skin checks. It is led by a medical team and features one-on-one assessments with a dermatologist. This setup helps people who would otherwise wait months for such care.
Betty Harriman, a team member with the Mole Mobile, said the goal is to reach more people who may not have easy access to skin care. She explained that many people in Canada struggle to get appointments with dermatologists. By bringing one along, the Mole Mobile allows people to be seen faster. All checks are completely free of charge.
Residents visiting the mobile clinic can choose between a single mole check or a full-body screening. In Kelowna, the screenings are being done by Dr. Fatmah Alzahrani, a dermatologist from Vancouver. She noted that dermatology is a field with very limited access. For many people, it’s hard to find available appointments, especially in smaller or rural communities.
Dr. Alzahrani stressed how important it is to watch for changes in the skin. She said signs of concern include a spot that grows quickly, doubles in size, or becomes painful. If someone sees changes like this, they should talk to their family doctor as soon as possible.
The Mole Mobile is part of Melanoma Canada’s mission to make skin checks easier and more available. The program began in 2023 to address gaps in dermatology access. It travels across the country during summer, helping people stay aware of their skin health.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Canada. Over the past 30 years, the number of skin cancer cases has tripled. In 2024 alone, more than 91,000 cases were reported across the country. Many of these could have been caught earlier with regular screenings.
After Kelowna, the Mole Mobile will continue its tour of British Columbia. Its next stop is in Nanaimo. The goal of the tour is to provide as many people as possible with free and simple skin checks. Organizers hope that early detection will help reduce the number of advanced cases.
Health experts remind people to check their skin often. If a mole changes in size, color, or shape, it should be looked at. Protection from the sun is also important. Using sunscreen and wearing hats and clothing that covers the skin can help prevent damage.
For people in Kelowna, the Mole Mobile offers an easy way to take control of their skin health. No cost, no booking, just walk in and get checked.
