RICHMOND, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - June 14, 2016) - Starting June 15th, London Drugs Patient Care Pharmacists (PCPs) are available for one-on-one personal skin check appointments at select lower mainland London Drugs stores. During each clinical session, the PCPs will utilize Vancouver-based MetaOptima's non-invasive MoleScope device and will review the importance of the "ABCDE" method for mole checks.

"It is extremely important the public understands the risk of overexposure of the sun to our skin," says John Tse, London Drugs vice president, pharmacy and cosmetics. "With the assistance of lower mainland dermatologist, Dr. Jason Rivers, and partnership support from La Roche-Posay, London Drugs' new Skin Checker clinics will provide individuals with education and awareness as well as the opportunity to discuss and analyze any skin or mole concerns they might have."

According to the Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation, one in every three cancers diagnosed worldwide is a skin cancer. In Canada alone, over 80,000 cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year, more than 5,000 of which are the deadliest form of skin cancer, melanoma. Canadians born in the 1990s have two to three times higher lifetime risk of getting skin cancer (1 in 6) than those born in the 1960s (1 in 20).

With more diagnosed cases of skin cancer each year than the number of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers combined, the need to prevent skin cancer has become critically important. London Drugs has launched the Skin Checker Clinics to help inform individuals on the necessary steps they can take to help prevent skin cancer.

Skin cancer is caused by overexposure of the skin to UV radiation. The most common sources of UV radiation on the skin are the sun and artificial tanning beds. Though skin cancer is preventable and most often treatable, it remains the most common form of cancer.

The Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation recommends Canadians should stay out of the sun during peak hours (11am - 4pm), wear clothing that protects their arms and legs, and wear wide-brim hats to protect from UV exposure to the head, face, neck and ears. If individuals have to be in the sun, proper forms of protection such as wearing sunglasses with UV protection of 400 or wearing sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher is advised. London Drugs encourages individuals to follow these guidelines and attend the Skin Checker Clinics to further their knowledge on what they can do to minimize their risks.

What can patients expect at the Skin Checker clinics?

To examine an individual's area of skin concern, the London Drugs Patient Care Pharmacists will use the MetaOptima's MoleScope device and app. The Health Canada registered device is a non-invasive, mobile mini-microscope attachment which will be paired with the pharmacy department's iPad to image a mole of concern selected by the patient. The image will then be sent through a secure network via the app to a local dermatologist, Dr. Jason Rivers, for assessment. A summary of the assessment is then emailed to the patient within two business days. If necessary, a follow-up exam and treatment or referral options will be sent to the patient.

In addition, patients will be informed on sun protection and will be provided with sun care samples as part of this clinic offering care of London Drugs, MetaOptima and La Roche-Posay. MetaOptima Technology Inc. and La Roche-Posay announced the 2016 Skin Checker clinics in May during Melanoma month.

La Roche-Posay is the sponsor of the 'Become a #SkinChecker' campaign. http://www.en.laroche-posay.ca/article/Skin-Cancer-Detect-Beauty-Marks-Skin-Moles-La-Roche-Posay/a25567.aspx

To learn more about London Drugs' Skin Checker Clinics, please visit http://www.londondrugs.com/skinchecker.html to book an appointment online.

About London Drugs

Founded in 1945, B.C.-based London Drugs has 79 stores in more than 35 major markets throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba including its online store www.londondrugs.com. London Drugs offers consumers a range of products from digital cameras and cosmetics to computers and televisions. Renowned for its creative approach to retailing, the company employs more than 7,500 people with pharmacy and health care services being the heart of its business. Committed to innovation and superior customer service, London Drugs has established itself as a reputable and caring company and continues to position itself for future growth and development.