According to Thunder Bay's only dermatologist, skin cancer rates are on the rise and so are the health care resources needed for care.
The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre held its annual skin cancer screening clinic on Monday, where Dr. Ron Mahler saw 60 people who were concerned about changes to their skin health.
He said the clinic itself is as important as getting the word out about the dangers of sun exposure.
"I've been here in practise for 30 years and it has been quite a dramatic increase in skin cancer, which parallels the increase in skin cancer worldwide," he said.
"It really is a highly preventable disorder. Sun is by far the most important cause of skin cancer and very preventable nowadays but this dramatic increase we've seen in skin cancer directly relates to society's idea that being tanned looks healthy."
Mahler encouraged regular self-checks and if worrisome changes appear to skin, to consult a family doctor or present at a walk-in clinic.
"It has become a major health issue, not only in terms of the patient's outcome but the number of health care dollars that he treatment of skin cancer is eating up."
