Cases of melanoma — the deadliest type of skin cancer — have been increasing over the last 40 years. In fact, melanoma kills one person every hour in the U.S., according to the National Cancer Institute, even though it’s easily treatable if caught early. The problem is, a lot of people don’t pay attention to their skin, so they don’t notice when a mole changes or a new spot appears. And, if they do, they’re not sure what it really looked like a month ago or a year ago.
Technology and telemedicine to the rescue. The easiest way to keep track of changes in your moles that could be early signs of melanoma is to use your cellphone to take regular pictures of them. Once a month, take a mole selfie. It might sound silly, but it’s a surefire way to show your doctor how your skin has changed. Depending on how tech-savvy your health care provider is, you might even be able to email the photos to the office.
If you think you won’t remember to take pictures, there’s an app for that. In fact, there are many apps for that.
Among some of the more popular is the free Mole Mapper iPhone app. Use your phone’s camera to snap pictures of suspicious moles and measure and monitor them over time. It can’t diagnose, but it can let you get the conversation started with your doctor or a dermatologist. And, if you’re over 18, the app gives you the option to participate in a research study on skin biology and melanoma risks.
An Android option is the free Miiskin, which similarly allows you to snap, map, and monitor moles and get reminders when it’s time to take another photo.
The ABCs of melanoma
What should you be looking for? Melanoma might be suspected when you see a new mole or changes in an existing one. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, check:
- Asymmetry — Is half the mole different from the other half?
- Borders — Does it have uneven or indistinct borders?
- Color — Does the mole’s color change or contain different shades of brown, tan, black, white, red, gray, or blue?
- Diameter — Is the mole larger than an eraser on a pencil — just under a quarter inch?
- Evolution — Does the mole change in size, shape, color, or height?
Not all melanomas fit the ABC criteria. You know best if something on your skin doesn’t look normal. Contact your dermatologist or primary care doctor immediately if you have concerns.
Risk factors
Anyone can have melanoma, but according to the National Cancer Institute, common risk factors include:
- A fair complexion
- Exposure to natural sunlight or tanning beds over long periods
- A history of many blistering sunburns, especially as a child or teenager
- Several large or many small moles
- A family history of unusual moles
- A family or personal history of melanoma
- A weakened immune system
In the future
Medical experts expect telehealth to make a positive impact in the detection and treatment of skin cancer in the coming years. Not everyone has easy access to a dermatologist or the money to undergo regular skin checks by a professional, but studies are showing that telehealth could ease those problems. One study by the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston showed that smartphone microscopes can improve the detection of skin cancer in remote areas where specialists are hard to get to. Clearly, the use of cellphone apps in the field of skin cancer is just the start.