A Cancer App?
As cancer now is one of the top diseases in the States (and you can safely say that it can spread out to the rest of the world, by looking at the trend) you can have smart and techy-apps to detect it, apart from scheduling an appointment with your doctor to get it check. But does the app worth your time, and consequently, your life? Read on.
The current life with the technology that accompanies it is not surprising; in fact, it’s to be expected – we practically using handy apps in nearly every part of your life. From tracking the foods that you eat to scheduling your appointments, different apps have their own features and you can choose any that suits your needs. And the same is also for health-related apps, like cancer.
Of course, when it comes to cancer, early detection is extremely crucial. Ignoring the signs and lesions long enough and you can expect to count days before you hit the grave. I know it’s sound devastating, but cancer is not something you can joke about – try doing that to 3.5 million person suffering from either basal, squamous, or even melanoma cancers.
Hence the development of apps for early detection of cancers is certainly sounds positive and promising though currently, a certain numbers of doctors and dermatologists still skeptical in relying these apps when it comes to cancer.
For example, apps like UMSkinCheck, Mole Detective, SkinVision have their own features in detecting early signs of cancer, namely the acronym ABCDE (asymmetry, border, color, diameter and evolution method) by analyzing through their database, algorithm, or even sending the app to their appointed dermatologist for assessment. Plus the apps also provide a basic guide in analyzing the moles to provide knowledge and awareness when it comes to cancer.
Testing the apps indicated that they have at least 80% of accuracy in detecting, meaning these apps can certainly as an added measure for prevention against these fatal disease. Still, because of the apps sensitivity to detect the lesions varied depending on factors (size and shapes of the lesions, as well as the light when the picture captured), doctors all around encourage for you to still use the traditional approach as your main preventative measures.
Relying too heavily on the apps will not only make inaccurate detection, but also can be fatal as further investigating found that even the most accurate and super sensitive app can miss almost 30% of melanomas and diagnose them as low-risk skin lesions, instead.
The conclusion? While it’s not really a harm using these apps, it’s better to make them as part of the traditional approach, by having annual medical checkup, as well as seeing straight to your doctor, should you spot any lesions that look abnormal. Its better be safe, than sorry.
