A routine Botox appointment that led to a skin cancer diagnosis
Why annual skin checks are an important part of a proactive health strategy
Subtle changes, like a spot that doesn't heal or a bump that looks slightly different, can be easy to dismiss, especially when life is busy, and your health feels generally on track. That's how Jennifer's story began.
Jennifer booked a visit to Refine by Medcan for Botox, expecting a straightforward treatment. Instead, a careful assessment of her skin led to the early detection of skin cancer and a renewed appreciation for the importance of proactive skin health.
A skin change that seemed like a non-issue
"I met with dermatologist Dr. Jennifer Tran, and while she was examining my face, I asked her about a mole above my eye," Jennifer recalled.
In her early 40s, Jennifer describes herself as having very fair skin, a characteristic that can increase the risk of developing skin cancer. The mole above her eye had been there for as long as she could remember, and she had never been concerned about it. Still, she decided it was worth asking about.
Using a specialized imaging tool, Dr. Tran examined the mole and confirmed that it appeared benign. That's when Jennifer mentioned another area that had been bothering her: a newer spot on the side of her face.
A few months earlier, she had noticed a small bump appear near her cheek. At first, she assumed it was a pimple and expected it to disappear on its own. But it lingered. The spot occasionally bled, felt unusually firm, and never seemed to fully heal. Although she recognized it was somewhat unusual, she didn't think it warranted medical attention.
"It was just a small, raised, flesh-coloured bump," she said.
But when Dr. Tran examined the lesion, her reaction was immediate.
"She looked at it and told me, 'Jennifer, this isn't good,'" Jennifer recalled.
Dr. Tran suspected it could be basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer. She performed a biopsy during the appointment and sent the tissue sample for testing.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC): the most common type of skin cancer. It develops in the basal cells of the skin, usually grows slowly, and rarely spreads to other parts of the body, but it can become larger and damage nearby tissue if left untreated.
A quick path to diagnosis
Two weeks later, Jennifer received the news: the spot was basal cell carcinoma, cancer which develops in the basal cells found in the deepest layer of the epidermis, the skin's outermost layer.
Jennifer received a referral in April and underwent surgery in June, approximately six months after first noticing the spot. The process was coordinated between Refine by Medcan and Medcan’s partner specialist clinic to ensure a seamless experience. This allowed Jennifer to focus on her health rather than navigating the healthcare system alone.
She was referred to the Mohs Surgery Clinic at Women's College Hospital, where specialists removed the cancer layer by layer, examining each tissue sample under a microscope until no cancer cells remained.
"They only had to go in twice," Jennifer says. "After the second stage, they had removed all of the cancer cells. They stitched me up, and I went home."
Today, only a small scar remains, and what struck Jennifer most was learning how differently the situation could have unfolded had the cancer gone undetected. Although basal cell carcinoma is highly treatable when identified early, it does not simply disappear on its own. Left untreated, it can continue to grow and spread deeper into the skin, damaging surrounding tissue, cartilage and even bone. As cancer advances, treatment often becomes more extensive, and reconstructive surgery may be required.
For Jennifer, what began as a simple request during a routine appointment became a powerful reminder of the value of paying attention to changes in your skin and having them assessed by an expert.
If you’re worried about a patch or pimple, trust your instincts
Jennifer's experience fundamentally changed how she thinks about skin health. Like many people, she assumed that long-standing moles were worth monitoring, but that a small, flesh-coloured bump was unlikely to be anything serious. Now, she sees things differently.
"I think we all know our bodies and our skin pretty well," she says. "I've learned that anytime you notice a change that doesn't seem normal, it's a good idea to get it checked."
Anytime you notice a skin change that doesn't seem normal, it's a good idea to get it checked.- Jennifer, Refine by Medcan client
What surprised her most was how ordinary the cancer looked. "It wasn't anything dramatic," she explains. "It wasn't a mole that had changed colour or shape. It was just a skin-coloured bump, but it was unusual for my skin."
Reflecting on the experience, Jennifer recognized how easy it is to assume that concerning changes will turn out to be nothing. "I think we all believe things will be fine," she says.
In fact, she admits she likely would never have raised concerns about the spot she had not been sitting in a dermatologist's office. What stood out most about her appointment at Refine by Medcan was the thoroughness of Dr. Tran's assessment. Even though Jennifer had booked a cosmetic treatment, Dr. Tran approached the appointment with a dermatologist's trained eye, carefully evaluating her skin for anything unusual.
"I don't think you get that everywhere," Jennifer says. "If I hadn't gone to Refine, I probably still wouldn't have had that spot looked at. It really showed me the importance of having a dermatologist and someone who is truly a skin expert, assess your skin."
Since her diagnosis, Jennifer has become much more intentional about sun protection. She never spends extended time outdoors without a hat, wears SPF 50+ sunscreen regularly, and pays close attention to the daily UV index.
"I’ve learned that a moisturizer with SPF is great for everyday use," she says. "But if you're spending time outside, you need to be reapplying sunscreen throughout the day."
She also looks for shade whenever possible and is mindful that sun exposure isn't limited to hot, sunny days.
"I think sometimes we forget, especially when we're in the water or when it's cloudy," she says. "You feel cool, and think you're not getting much sun, but the UV rays are still there."
For Jennifer, what began as a routine cosmetic appointment became a powerful reminder that skin cancer doesn't always look the way people expect and that paying attention to even subtle changes can make all the difference.
The difference proactive skin care can make
Looking back, Jennifer believes the expertise and attentiveness of her care team at Refine by Medcan made all the difference. Had she not attended that appointment, she's not convinced the spot would have been examined at all. "If I hadn't gone to Medcan, I probably still wouldn't have had that spot looked at," she says.
While the diagnosis initially came as a shock, the experience reinforced the value of early detection and acting on even subtle changes. "Anything you can catch proactively is always better than letting it get to a point where it's not good."
Anything you can catch proactively is always better than letting it get to a point where it's not good.- Jennifer, Refine by Medcan client
Today, Jennifer hopes her story encourages others to pay attention to their skin and seek expert advice when something doesn't seem quite right. For her, a routine appointment became a powerful reminder that skin cancer doesn't always look the way people expect. Sometimes, the smallest changes can reveal the most important things about our health. And when it comes to suspicious spots or changes in your skin, getting them checked early can make all the difference.
Take action
Noticed a change in your skin? At Refine by Medcan, our experienced dermatology team administers safe, high-quality, innovative treatments for a range of medical skincare concerns, to help you maintain healthy and beautiful skin. We offer an extended selection of on-site treatments for precancerous lesions, skin tags and moles, acne, eczema, vitiligo, hyperpigmentation, hyperhidrosis, spider veins, and rosacea.
To book a complimentary skin consultation and determine what services are right for you, visit this page.
This article was written by Medcan’s editorial team with contribution and consent from a Refine by Medcan client.
Note: This information is intended for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
