The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. 

iPhone app may detect melanoma

Relaxnews
Thursday 30 June 2011 00:00 BST
Comments
(All rights reserved)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Detecting melanoma may be in the hands of your trusty smartphone, according to developers of a new iPhone medical app.

The makers of the new app, Skin Scan, just this week announced that they secured €50,000 in funding from venture capitalists Seedmoney.

The impetus of the app is to inspire people to get the doctor earlier, thus potentially saving lives. The app, created by CEO Victor Anastasiu and a team of 12, including dermatologists and two mathematicians, scans skin lesions, takes photos of them, measures the diameter, and then uses a proprietary algorithm to determine whether or not a lesion may be cancerous.

Skin Scan is available at the iTunes Apple Store for a promotional price of $4.99.

Another device that aims to transform an iPhone into a dermatologist is the Handyscope, a digital handheld dermatoscope launched in February. The new tool, designed more for professional use and eventually patient at-home use, plugs into an iPhone, and along with its accompanying app, uses polarizing light to detect whether or not a mole is cancerous. The photos can be instantly sent to a specialist for final diagnosis.

Download the Skin Scan app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skin-scan/id434196122?mt=8&ls=1

Access the company's website: http://www.skinscanapp.com/index_3

Learn more about the Handyscope: http://www.handyscope.net/howitworks.html

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in