The mobile app helps users identify potential skin cancers early and recommends medical input if necessary.
Skin cancer is common, and on average, one in every five people develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Sun exposure is leading to more cancers such as melanoma. They can lead to severe complications if it spreads within the body: the earlier the skin cancer is discovered, the more chance of a better outcome.
Researchers and dermatologists developed SkinVision in the Netherlands in 2011. The app can detect various common skin cancers. It allows people to take an active role in checking their skin health, so any suspicious skin issues are spotted earlier. Once downloaded, the user must complete a questionnaire to help understand the skin type.
The process then includes taking a picture, which is analysed along with any reported symptoms. This is then classified into low or high risk. The high-risk score recommends an assessment with a doctor. There’s also the ability to track any skin spots to monitor for any changes effortlessly.
The AI-powered app has been clinically tested in studies in Germany and The Netherlands. The accuracy is reported to be around 95% for melanomas and is 97% effective in diagnosing non-melanoma skin cancers. The algorithm can do this by comparing over 3.5 million images in its database. The app has over 1.2 million users, through their service, over 40 000 skin cancers have been detected so far. Their mission is to save 250 000 lives in the next decade.
Website: https://www.skinvision.com
15 Minutes With The Doctor: Staircase Chats with SkinVision & NeedleSmart – Digital Healthcare Show 2019
Image: SkinVision
