Mayo pharmacy raising melanoma awareness with mole scanning service

TO raise awareness of melanoma in Ireland and to encourage a life-long habit among Irish people of regularly checking their moles, Boots Castlebar is now offering, in conjunction with ScreenCancer UK, an innovative mole scanning service in ten Boots Ireland pharmacies nationally.

Developed in conjunction with ScreenCancer, the Boots Mole Scanning Service allows people aged 18 and over to have their moles or pigmented lesions scanned using a specialist device called a SIAscope.

The scan is then assessed by a dermatology specialist, and each person will receive a report based on the specialist assessment.

Should a suspicious lesion be identified, the individual will be referred to their doctor or specialist for follow-on treatment. While the service doesn’t provide a diagnosis of skin cancer, ScreenCancer Dermatology Specialists analyse the moles or lesions to help identify any suspicious characteristics that might need further investigation.

Boots pharmacist, Susan O’Dwyer, said: “Providing a mole scanning service through pharmacies helps people to quickly check any moles that might be causing concern.

“I would encourage anyone who is worried about a mole to pop into a participating Boots pharmacy, especially if the mole has changed size, shape or colour recently. Our teams can advise you on the best way to stay safe in the sun, provide you with information on how to self-check your moles and scan suspicious lesions if required.”