Smartphones could use AI to detect skin cancer
Skin cancer checks will be carried out by AI using smartphones on the NHS.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has backed the use of the technology to examine suspicious moles and lesions.
The new artificial intelligence (AI) tool, Derm (deep ensemble for recognition of malignancy), can be used by healthcare workers using a smartphone with a high-quality magnifying lens attached.
The images are then uploaded to an online platform, which uses AI to analyse the images.
For patients whose moles or lesions are identified as potentially cancerous, a dermatologist will review the case.
Nice said that early evidence suggested the tool, developed by Skin Analytics, could 'approximately halve the number of referrals to dermatologists within the urgent skin cancer pathway'.
It had been 'conditionally approved' for the next three years while further evidence was collected, Nice said.
Dr Anastasia Chalkidou, healthtech programme director at Nice, said: 'Derm has shown promising results in its ability to accurately distinguish between cancerous and non-cancerous skin lesions, with evidence suggesting it could halve the number of referrals to dermatologists within the urgent skin cancer pathway while maintaining patient safety,'
'Our evaluation shows this technology maintains diagnostic accuracy while reducing the burden on specialist dermatology services. By implementing this system within existing pathways, we can ensure patients get the right care more quickly.'
Ashley Dalton, minister for public health and prevention, said: 'By embracing the power of AI, this exciting technology could help us slash waiting times, meaning that people with suspected skin cancer get the help they need, or peace of mind, faster.'
It comes as health experts issued a warning over sun cream ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend.
Melanoma Focus said a large proportion of Britons are frequently letting themselves burn, putting themselves at a higher risk of skin cancer.
Susanna Daniels, chief executive of Melanoma Focus, said: 'It is essential that everyone understands the risks associated with sunburn and prioritises sun protection by using factor 30+ sunscreen, wearing a hat, seeking shade and covering up in the heat of the day.'
A poll by Melanoma Focus of 2,000 people aged 16 and over in the UK that almost half (49 per cent) said they are sunburnt at least once a year, with higher numbers reported in younger age groups.
Ms Daniels said: 'This data is extremely concerning as we know that more than five sunburns in your lifetime doubles your risk of melanoma, so burning every year has potentially long-term dangerous consequences.
'Nearly nine in 10 melanomas are preventable, yet the UK has more deaths from melanoma per year than Australia.'
The poll also found that 19 per cent said they 'rarely' wear sun cream in the UK between May and September, 8 per cent said they 'never' use sun cream in the UK during this period. Almost one in 10 said they never wear sun cream at all.
Reasons for avoiding sun cream in the UK included people not expecting to burn; forgetting to apply sun cream and eight per cent said sun cream is 'too expensive'.
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