5 app for checking moles at home
In this article, we will look at popular mole check apps, and also try to test them.
Over the past few years, many applications have been created that allow detecting skin cancer at an early stage. A smartphone and artificial intelligence help in this.
Some programs send photos to a dermatologist, some provide instant feedback, and others offer useful reminders about self-monitoring the condition of your skin and make appointments with a doctor. We decided to test several applications and make up our opinion about the quality of self-diagnosis.
For the purity of the experiment, the same healthy mole on the left hand will be examined. The device is running on Android 8.1 OS. Evaluation criteria: ease of use, the ability to save research, compatibility with the device. So, let's go!
Scanoma
This application analyzes moles using AI. The principle of operation is simple - we photograph the mole through the application, give a couple of seconds for processing and get the result. The next step is to send an image of the mole to a dermatologist registered in the partner program. An examination and diagnosis based on a photo by a doctor costs $24. The interesting thing is that the application gave the same result both in the photo with a mole and without it.
Some programs send photos to a dermatologist, some provide instant feedback, and others offer useful reminders about self-monitoring the condition of your skin and make appointments with a doctor. We decided to test several applications and make up our opinion about the quality of self-diagnosis.
For the purity of the experiment, the same healthy mole on the left hand will be examined. The device is running on Android 8.1 OS. Evaluation criteria: ease of use, the ability to save research, compatibility with the device. So, let's go!
Scanoma
This application analyzes moles using AI. The principle of operation is simple - we photograph the mole through the application, give a couple of seconds for processing and get the result. The next step is to send an image of the mole to a dermatologist registered in the partner program. An examination and diagnosis based on a photo by a doctor costs $24. The interesting thing is that the application gave the same result both in the photo with a mole and without it.
You can't view the scan history in the app, but all photos are saved in a separate, automatically created folder.
easy to use - 5 stars;
the ability to save research - no;
compatibility with the device-yes.
SkinVision
The application's website claims that it helps in the early detection of melanoma. SkinVision uses deep analysis of skin photos and helps in the early detection of skin cancer. The images are processed using a machine learning algorithm that filters the image layers based on a simple, complex and more abstract function. To do this, a technology called "convolutional neural network" (CNN) is used, and the calculation itself takes less than a minute. And although SkinVision is supported by the scientific council of dermatologists, not all doctors share the optimism. According to the statements of a dermatologist from the state of Texas, even an application with outstanding support from scientists has limitations. Dr. Friedman does not consider it necessary to completely abandon such programs, but advises patients to treat the results with cautious skepticism.
easy to use - 5 stars;
the ability to save research - no;
compatibility with the device-yes.
SkinVision
The application's website claims that it helps in the early detection of melanoma. SkinVision uses deep analysis of skin photos and helps in the early detection of skin cancer. The images are processed using a machine learning algorithm that filters the image layers based on a simple, complex and more abstract function. To do this, a technology called "convolutional neural network" (CNN) is used, and the calculation itself takes less than a minute. And although SkinVision is supported by the scientific council of dermatologists, not all doctors share the optimism. According to the statements of a dermatologist from the state of Texas, even an application with outstanding support from scientists has limitations. Dr. Friedman does not consider it necessary to completely abandon such programs, but advises patients to treat the results with cautious skepticism.
It is also interesting that the application is not supported on Androids from the United States. The prices of the application are quite biting - you have to pay $8.5 for the examination of one mole. If you pay for a year, then the examination of moles will cost $61.
ease of use-unknown;
the ability to save research - yes;
compatibility with the device - no.
ease of use-unknown;
the ability to save research - yes;
compatibility with the device - no.
Miiskin
This application uses the mole map for skin analysis and focuses as a tool for digital dermatoscopy at home. The application's website claims that with the help of Miskin, you can identify everything, even the most insignificant changes on the skin that are beyond the ordinary eye. It's all about improved high-quality digital photography and the ability to photograph a large area of the body at once.
This application uses the mole map for skin analysis and focuses as a tool for digital dermatoscopy at home. The application's website claims that with the help of Miskin, you can identify everything, even the most insignificant changes on the skin that are beyond the ordinary eye. It's all about improved high-quality digital photography and the ability to photograph a large area of the body at once.
The developers gave the opportunity to use this technology to ordinary consumers. The site reports that any owner of a modern iPhone with iOS 10 and newer or Android 4.4 and higher can use Miiskin.
Meanwhile, in the Google Play Market
Meanwhile, in the Google Play Market
It is worth noting that this application is also not supported in Canada.
ease of use-unknown;
the ability to save research - yes;
compatibility with the device - no.
NOTA mole tracker
This app comes complete with a device that examines moles using an impedance, that is, it measures the resistance of the mole cells to a weak electrical pulse. The same technology is used in fitness trackers for counting calories.
Remark: In 2018, the bioimpedance method was certified by the FDA as a method for non-invasive (without removing a mole) determination of skin cancer.
The device's website also indicates that the measurements are safe and suitable for children, the elderly and pregnant women.
So, download the app and see what's inside.
ease of use-unknown;
the ability to save research - yes;
compatibility with the device - no.
NOTA mole tracker
This app comes complete with a device that examines moles using an impedance, that is, it measures the resistance of the mole cells to a weak electrical pulse. The same technology is used in fitness trackers for counting calories.
Remark: In 2018, the bioimpedance method was certified by the FDA as a method for non-invasive (without removing a mole) determination of skin cancer.
The device's website also indicates that the measurements are safe and suitable for children, the elderly and pregnant women.
So, download the app and see what's inside.
Miiskin has a 30-day free version, after which it will cost $5.65 per month to monitor moles through the app, according to the response of the support employee. However, as the developers write in their own blog, the technology of examination with the help of And is not approved by the FDA and you can rely on such applications solely at your own risk.
ease of use-unknown;
the ability to save research - yes;
compatibility with the device - no.
The following 2 applications initially do not do an independent analysis with the help of AI, but are an addition to devices for skin examination. We will focus on them in more detail.
MoleScope
An application that combines scanoma with sending photos of moles to the doctor and Miiskin with high-quality digital images. However, here the developers went further, and in fact, MoleScope is a magnifying glass that connects to the phone, and the application sends photos to a dermatologist for online verification.
The MoleScope application itself will not analyze or diagnose your moles, but you will be kindly asked to use the ABCDE rule to independently track suspicious moles. The site also provides information that the application works on different versions of Android, but…
ease of use-unknown;
the ability to save research - yes;
compatibility with the device - no.
The following 2 applications initially do not do an independent analysis with the help of AI, but are an addition to devices for skin examination. We will focus on them in more detail.
MoleScope
An application that combines scanoma with sending photos of moles to the doctor and Miiskin with high-quality digital images. However, here the developers went further, and in fact, MoleScope is a magnifying glass that connects to the phone, and the application sends photos to a dermatologist for online verification.
The MoleScope application itself will not analyze or diagnose your moles, but you will be kindly asked to use the ABCDE rule to independently track suspicious moles. The site also provides information that the application works on different versions of Android, but…
The description of the device says that it takes 20 seconds to examine one mole, and all measurements are stored on a cloud server. So if you replace the phone, all your moles will remain intact.
easy to use - 5 stars;
the ability to save research - yes;
compatibility with the device-yes.
easy to use - 5 stars;
the ability to save research - yes;
compatibility with the device-yes.
| App/Characteristic | NOTA app | SkinVision | Scanoma | Miiskin | MoleScope | Imagine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Yes | No (fee for each scan $5 or monthly subscription $45) | Yes | No (monthly subscription $55) | Yes | Yes |
| Ease of use (5 points) | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Mole mapping | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AI | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Double control(photo+physical measurement) | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Family account | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Reminders | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Connected devices | Yes, NOTA mole tracker | No | No | No | Yes, MoleScope | No |
| Supported devices | iOS ⩾8, Android ⩾8 | iOS ⩾10, Android⩾10 | iOS⩾8, Android⩾8 | Only iOS⩾10 | iOS⩾10, Android⩾10 | iOS⩾10, Android⩾10 |
Instead of output
In a recent study, scientists from the University of Pittsburgh analyzed four smartphone apps claiming to be able to detect skin cancer. The exact names of the programs are hidden, they pass under ordinal numbers. Three apps used algorithms to notify the owner of the risk of skin cancer, and the fourth app sent photos to a dermatologist.
Not surprisingly, the researchers found the fourth application to be the most accurate. It was found that the other three applications incorrectly classify a large number of skin lesions. At the same time, almost 30% of melanomas are missing in one of them, which defined them as lesions with a low risk for health.
The advantages of AI-based applications are that they increase people's awareness of the importance of self-diagnosis of moles and can be the first step when going to the doctor, but it is still too early to rely on the "eye", even a highly intelligent one.
The situation is different with a device with bioimpedance technology, which was approved by the FDA as a method of non-invasive detection of skin cancer. With such a home diagnosis, you really can not be afraid to miss the moment of malignancy of the mole.
In a recent study, scientists from the University of Pittsburgh analyzed four smartphone apps claiming to be able to detect skin cancer. The exact names of the programs are hidden, they pass under ordinal numbers. Three apps used algorithms to notify the owner of the risk of skin cancer, and the fourth app sent photos to a dermatologist.
Not surprisingly, the researchers found the fourth application to be the most accurate. It was found that the other three applications incorrectly classify a large number of skin lesions. At the same time, almost 30% of melanomas are missing in one of them, which defined them as lesions with a low risk for health.
The advantages of AI-based applications are that they increase people's awareness of the importance of self-diagnosis of moles and can be the first step when going to the doctor, but it is still too early to rely on the "eye", even a highly intelligent one.
The situation is different with a device with bioimpedance technology, which was approved by the FDA as a method of non-invasive detection of skin cancer. With such a home diagnosis, you really can not be afraid to miss the moment of malignancy of the mole.
