Digital health app Miiskin has announced the launch of a new a mole sizing feature. 

The skin checking app, which is headquartered in Denmark, allows patients to check if their moles have changed size via augmented reality technology.

Its mole sizing feature requires users to photograph their mole next to a reference object such as a coin to measure and record the lesion’s size. This helps users identify two of the five signs of the ABCDE tracker, a system recommended by doctors. 

Users can also capture images of moles, including size, and monitor changes to shape and colour over time to see if the mole evolves, which is warning sign ‘E’ on the tracker.

WHY IT MATTERS

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 80% of melanomas appearing as new marks or moles. Dermatologists believe that individuals are the first to notice signs of skin cancer on themselves more than half the time, so skin self-examinations are vital in early detection. 

During skin self-examinations, size and changes in the appearance of moles are essential elements to evaluate when looking for potential signs of melanoma. However, subtle changes in size may not be noticeable to the naked eye, or when the mole is in a hard-to-reach area.

Miiskin’s technology aims to help users identify warning signs, so they can consult with a dermatologist for medical assessment and treatment. 

THE LARGER CONTEXT

Last year Miiskin introduced automatic skin imaging which enables people to take full-body photographs of their skin via its app, to make skin cancer self-examinations easier.

Also in 2020, Miiskin became one of the first skin checking apps listed on the EMIS App Library. Recently ORCHA, the organisation responsible for evaluating digital health apps for the NHS rated Miiskin as one of the top five apps to use best practice.

Earlier this year, Swiss startup OnlineDoctor raised €5 million in Series A financing for its web-based teledermatology platform, which provides patients with specialist diagnosis and recommended action for their skin problem within 48 hours.

Meanwhile, UK-based med tech company, Moletest (Scotland) Ltd, is offering primary care professionals its nomela screening test for skin lesions suspected of melanoma.

ON THE RECORD

Jon Friis, founder and CEO of Miiskin, said: “This kind of technology has never been openly available for the public to use themselves until now.

“We’ve combined the latest in Apple’s machine learning, computer vision and augmented reality technology to bring this to patients directly to support them even further with self-examination of their skin, a crucial process in detecting skin cancer early.”

Dr Anton Alexandroff, consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson, said: “Bringing this kind of technology to patients will really help them with their skin examination process. It not only helps to raise awareness of the importance of self-examination but helps them to identify key factors to look for when checking their skin.”