A new AI-driven skin cancer detection technology in development by Australian company AI Medi Scan may soon allow Australians to check themselves for skin cancer at home.
The Cancer Council estimates two in three Australians will be diagnosed with some sort of skin cancer during their lifetime and about 2,000 Australian die from skin cancer every year, according to Sun Smart.
Some 95% of melanomas, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, can be resolved with simple surgery if caught early enough.
AI Medi Scan’s technology is designed to use fluorescence imaging and artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse skin abnormalities across different light spectrums.
The company believes its diagnostic tech will improve the accuracy of non-invasive diagnosis and reduce the pressure on dermatologists, who are in short supply in Australia with only about 600 specialists practising, about two dermatologists for every 100,000 Australians.
“In terms of having access to early diagnosis, which we know particularly for melanoma is just vital, having access to good quality, consistent, accessible and affordable health care, I think that’s a big issue for Australians,” Australasian College of Dermatologists president Dr Clare Tait said in an interview with Dermatology Republic.
Risk profiling program
AI Medi Scan says its technology will enable users to conduct skin checks at home, alleviating the strain on healthcare providers and offering timely access to potentially lifesaving diagnoses.
Importantly, there is no plans for the technology to replace skin checks by trained doctors, but ideally it will reduce wait times for appointments and augment diagnosis efforts.
"Our product will not only improve diagnostic accuracy but also reduce the likelihood of false negatives, a crucial factor in skin cancer detection,” Founder Haoyuan Ma said.
The company plans to collaborate with government and industry to develop a national risk profiling program with the aim of supporting vulnerable populations and integrating AI Medi Scan’s technologies with existing healthcare services.
The Australasian College of Dermatologists acknowledges that accessing dermatology services can be challenging.
“There is a substantial workforce shortage which is particularly acute in regional, rural and remote Australia with only 6% living and practising in these areas,” the College’s website reads.
“The shortage is not due to a lack of doctors interested in becoming dermatologists but rather the limited number of training and supervisor positions in the public system.”
This years’ Federal Budget included a $25 million commitment to prevention and early detection of skin cancer and melanoma, with $10.3 million allocated to develop a roadmap for a targeted skin cancer screening program.