84th Annual Conference of the Canadian Dermatology Association

Speech
07/02/2009

Speaking Notes For Dona Cadman, M.P. Surrey North
Vancouver, British Columbia

Good Afternoon,

I’d like to thank the Canadian Dermatology Association for inviting me to this press conference today.

Last month, I sponsored the 3rd Annual Chuck Cadman skin cancer screening clinic on Parliament Hill in collaboration with the Canadian Dermatology Association for Members of Parliament, Senators, and staff.

For those unfamiliar with my story, 4 years ago I lost my Husband, Chuck Cadman, to Melanoma.

Chuck attended a screening clinic on Parliament Hill in 2004, which was also sponsored by the CDA. A suspicious mole was “flagged” and Chuck was advised to see a doctor.

I had been doing the usual “wife” routine; nagging him to have it checked out by a doctor. He eventually took it serious.  That is when the clinic set off the alarms and sent him to his doctor.

In the end, the few months’ opportunity lost on diagnosis might have saved his life.

So I implore you to seek, without delay, immediate medical consultation when any unusual changes happen on your body.

Be aware of your body. Just as women are advised to do regular breast examinations, we should all be doing full body self examinations on a regular basis.

I advise people to take advantage of free clinics whenever possible.

I will be co-sponsoring another clinic with the Canadian Dermatology Association in Surrey during September and it will be hosted at the North Surrey Recreation Centre.  I hope many of my constituents will take advantage of this opportunity.

Thank You.