Hello everyone,

My name is Rob Stauffer and live in rural central Alberta. I have lived and enjoyed myself working and travelling in the outdoors. My parents and I took skin care seriously, but I still have been impacted by skin cancer.

My melanoma journey began in May 2015 with a skin check of my ear by my wife and then a follow up visit to my doctor. The doctor was not certain it was skin cancer but the positive test that followed resulted in the surgical resection of my left ear and plastic surgery. I knew how serious melanoma could be, but was surprised to learn that more advanced melanomas results in a fatality rate of 50%. I felt blessed in that the prognosis looked great, and no significant cauliflower ear. Each quarter after my surgery I had my skin checked. 

In the summer of 2018, I started to experience some minor vision and speech issues and followed up on these issues with my doctor over the course of a few months. These issues continued, and in November I was fortunate to get a scan and be diagnosed early with metastatic melanoma. Again, early diagnosis and care by doctors at the University of Alberta Hospital Cross Cancer Institute saved my life.

This year Melanoma Canada is launching their Mole Mobile – Canada’s first mobile skin cancer screening unit. The Mole Mobile will bring screening to rural areas like mine, and help snuff out early stage diagnoses, leading to better outcomes for Canadians with melanoma and skin cancer.

Starting in Ontario, this summer, and working its way across the country over the next five years, we all have the opportunity to visit a dermatologist, thanks to Melanoma Canada,

NO EXCUSES! Getting diagnosed early saved my life, it can save yours too!

For World Cancer Day, Let’s Close the Gap to Access 

World Cancer Day is observed annually worldwide on February 4th. Many people seeking cancer care hit barriers at every turn. Income and education levels, geographical location, and discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, age, and disability, are just a few of the factors that can negatively impact care.

Join Melanoma Canada as we aim to #CloseTheGapToAccess with our Mole Mobile – Mobile Skin Cancer Screening Unit 

The first of its kind in Canada, the Mole Mobile will visit major Canadian cities with long wait times to see a dermatologist, underserved communities, Indigenous regions, and rural and remote areas, to help facilitate earlier diagnoses, which is vital to improving outcomes for patients. The Mole Mobile will operate for a minimum of five summers (May-Sept) and visit a different part of the country each year.