TORONTO, May 19, 2005 – Family practice resident, Dr. Courtney Rennie, (28) was busy finishing medical school in Ottawa in 2003 when she noticed a mole on her left shoulder that "didn’t look normal."

The native of Lethbridge, Alberta, recalls the events that led up to a diagnosis of basal cell skin cancer at the age of 26. "I noticed a mole, brownish in colour, which was beginning to grow and look more irregular in shape."

Her family doctor dismissed the spot and told Rennie there was nothing to worry about. Convinced the spot was not normal, she finally got a referral to a dermatologist. The mole was removed and a biopsy confirmed it was basal cell carcinoma.

"I was really shocked because I was so young and I couldn’t believe I had cancer," says Dr. Rennie, a triathlete and adventure sports participant.

The fair skinned doctor says as a teenager, she spent a few summers sunbathing with her mother while in high school, but didn’t get a lot of sun throughout her childhood. However, she has very sun-sensitive skin. "Even if I wear an SPF 30 or 40 sunscreen, I cannot stay out in the sun for long periods because I will burn quite badly".

She would like to see a skin examination become a part of family doctors’ yearly physical examinations. "I think especially for family physicians, they should be made aware that basal cell skin cancer can happen in young people."

For more information contact:
Sue Sherlock
Canadian Dermatology Association
604-985-9184 or cell 778-229-5033

* Photos of Dr. Courtney Rennie as well as basal cell skin cancers available at photos.newswire.ca.