Mike Allan is a cancer survivor who can genuinely say he has seen his life flash before his eyes.
Not only had he been diagnosed with the "deadliest form of skin cancer" but at one point he was so far gone that he had to be taken to hospice.
It all started in 2007 when, at age 48, a mole on his skin was found to be melanoma.
"Surgery removed the offending mole but by 2009, the melanoma showed itself again as a tumour in my groin," Allan said as he gave a presentation to city council on behalf of Save Your Skin Foundation. "At that point, there was nothing else that could be done by our doctors.
"Through Save Your Skin, I was put in touch with Canada's top oncologist, who suggested a clinical trial. Unfortunately, by 2010 the cancer had spread through my groin and into my lungs.
"I went through some horrendous surgeries but in the end I was placed in hospice for end-of-life. The tumour in my lungs had all but closed my airways so a machine kept me breathing.
"Then, in my final days, my family received a call from my oncologist and he said to wake me up, take away all medicines, and get me over to where he was.
"Once there, I was given three weeks of this new type of untested medicine - I was considered first trial or first run - and two weeks after taking these pills I took my air mask off and got out of my own bed.
"At three weeks, we went back to see the doctors and they couldn't believe that I was alive.
"By 2014, I had finished the trial and I had no recurrences since."
He said melanoma is the seventh most common cancer in Canada and the fourth most common for people ages 15-29. Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers and produces more new cases each year than do breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers combined, council was told.
One in six Canadians born in the 1990s will get skin cancer in their lifetimes, according to Allan.
"Exposure to UV radiation through sunlight and tanning beds appear to be the major risk factors for melanoma," Allan said.
Tips for avoiding the trouble include always having sunscreen nearby - and with an SPF of at least 30 - in case an unplanned outdoor activity arises "even on the grey days," seeking out shade whenever the UV index is high and wearing protective clothing with long sleeves, hats and sunglasses.
"And check for moles. Old moles, new moles, see if anything changes and see a doctor immediately if there is anything suspicious," Allan said.
He recommended being checked by a doctor for signs of skin cancer every three years for anyone 20 to 39 years old and every year for anyone 40 and older.
"If you see something suspicious, tell your doctor," Allan said.
He encouraged "sun safety through environmental design" by taking shade into consideration when designing parks, playgrounds and sports venues.
Conversation with council turned to the idea of installing sunscreen dispensers at the more popular local parks similar to what is in place in the Okanagan. Staff was asked to contact Save Your Skin about starting up a pilot project.
