If skin cancer melanoma is detected when it is already pushing through the advanced stages, then there is a 15% chance of survival.
However, if it is caught early the survival rate climbs to 98%. Therefore, there should be motivation to keep an eye out on any suspicious moles.
Experts have created the MoleScope, a melanoma-detecting device for smartphones.
MoleScope is a tiny microscope that attaches to the camera on a phone. It takes close-up images of moles, sends them to a dedicated analysis platform called the DermEngine, where they are studied by doctors. If there is a hint of a problem, doctors alert the patient right away.
This device is ideal for keeping track of how moles and skin condition can alter over time.
The MoleScope was developed by Maryam Sadeghi during her PhD research in Computing Science and has finally become a reality.
The MoleScope will be revealed during the World Congress of Dermatology in Vancouver.
This device enables patients to have access to the same system that doctors have in their clinic.
Like many other examples of smartphone-based medical tech, it will be extremely helpful in regions where medical services are less specialized, or in places where a skin cancer specialist isn’t available.
The high quality images made possible using a smartphone are the key to the MoleScope’s effectiveness and it has already been proven to work. According to Sadeghi, when the device was being tested, her PhD supervisor was assessing the pictures taken of her own skin and managed to self-diagnose melanoma.
There are two versions of the MoleScope and both can be pre-ordered online and delivered before the end of the summer. One will be a consumer version available at the moment for $100, and a second pro-edition with additional patient management features, for $200.
