La Roche-Posay receives Public Education Award from the Canadian Dermatology Association for educational value and scientific information of the MyskinCheck.ca campaign

Last year`s MySkinCheck.ca (MSC) campaign helped thousands of Canadians detect melanoma early. This year LA ROCHE-POSAY will extend the MSC campaign further with the LA ROCHE-POSAY Facebook page.

To view the Social Media Release, click here: http://smr.newswire.ca/en/la-roche-posay/la-roche-posays-online-melanoma-tracking-tool

MONTREAL, June 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - Many families are affected by skin cancer. In fact, over 78 000 Canadians will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year, however 90% of skin cancers can be cured if detected early enough.¹

On June 1st, LA ROCHE-POSAY launched its official Facebook page as the second part of LA ROCHE-POSAY's protection and awareness initiative called MSC an online public health campaign, developed alongside an international team of dermatologists, to educate Canadians aged 18 to 65 about the risks and causes of skin cancer.

Now entering the campaign's second summer, MSC was awarded the Public Education Award from the Canadian Dermatology Association, acknowledged for the educational value of its scientific information made available to the public. "The Committee felt that the campaign was excellent with professional educational materials for patients to spot concerning skin lesions as well as how to protect themselves from the sun" wrote Chair of the CDA Membership and Awards Committee Benjamin Barankin, MD, FRCPC.      

The MySkinCheck.ca website features many prevention mechanisms, including an interactive mole checker which allows people to monitor irregularities and follow up with a dermatologist. This is the second year in a row that the mole checker receives special recognition from the CDA as an effective tool to help people monitor their skin lesions.

"I have recently operated on several patients with melanoma that have told me they detected their cancerous lesion because of the My Skin Check awareness campaign and more importantly, the mole checker tool on the website," says Quebec-based, dermatologist Dr. Joel Claveau, Regional Director of the Canadian Dermatology Association's Sun Awareness Program. "This example illustrates the importance of developing such programs and encourages us doctors to continue our collaboration to fight against cancer."

In addition, the site offers information on necessary levels of sun protection, how to protect yourself the right way and how to adopt responsible sun habits. For instance, the site suggests you apply two layers of sunscreen, rather than one and reapply every two hours. To learn more, visit www.myskincheck.ca.

About La Roche-Posay
La Roche-Posay is the most widely recommended brand by dermatologists in Canada. Its range of non-comedogenic products are recognized as being suitable for the most sensitive skin. La Roche-Posay Laboratoire Dermatologique is a division of L'Oréal Canada, a wholly-owned subsidiary of L'Oréal Group, the largest cosmetics company in the world. L'Oréal celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2009. Headquartered in Montreal, L'Oréal Canada had sales of 849 million in 2009 and employs 1,200 people. The company's prestigious 25-brand portfolio encompasses all aspects of beauty.

¹ French Syndicate of Dermatologists and Venereologists.

/NOTE TO EDITORS: Media Assets accompanying this story are available as follows:

Video: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/mmnr/smr/17D73B4_19.flv

SOURCE La Roche-Posay