By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    healthcare cybersecurity
    4 Helpful Tips on How to Protect Your Medical Practice Against Cyber Attacks
    October 24, 2021
    Health Check Diagnosis Medical Condition Analysis Concept
    6 Health Woes With Online Remedies
    January 19, 2022
    Eight Things Men Should Know About the Male Menopause
    Eight Things Men Should Know About the Male Menopause
    April 24, 2022
    Latest News
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
    Chewing Matters More Than You Think: Why Proper Chewing Supports Better Health
    May 22, 2025
    Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
    May 30, 2025
    Choosing the Right Supplement Manufacturer for Your Brand
    May 1, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    health issues associated with aging
    4 Proven Strategies to Protect Your Health for the Future
    June 3, 2021
    A Look Ahead At The Top Healthcare Trends Of 2020
    February 29, 2020
    medical practice
    What You Need to Know if You Want to Run Your Own Medical Practice
    March 14, 2022
    Latest News
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
    The Backbone of Successful Trials: Clinical Data Management
    April 28, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Dermatology Smartphone Apps No Substitute for Doctor’s Visit
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > eHealth > Mobile Health > Dermatology Smartphone Apps No Substitute for Doctor’s Visit
eHealthMobile HealthRemote Diagnostics

Dermatology Smartphone Apps No Substitute for Doctor’s Visit

Bill Crounse
Last updated: October 1, 2013 8:11 am
Bill Crounse
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE
smartphone app for health

I’m compelled to use this pla

smartphone app for health

I’m compelled to use this platform to sound an alarm and draw added attention to something that has been of great concern to me personally. Today, CBS News published an article that reviews the accuracy of a growing number of smartphone apps that are designed to diagnose skin cancer and other dermatologic conditions. The article cites a January study, also reported by CBS, that appeared in JAMA Dermatology. Researchers tested four different smartphone skin cancer apps. One of the apps sends photos to board certified dermatologists for review. In the research study, that particular app was, as you might expect, quite good. It missed diagnosing just one of 53 pictures of melanoma that were used to test its accuracy. However, taken together the accuracy of all four smartphone apps was determined to be just 33 to 42 percent.

I’ve personally observed people using these dermatology apps. While I applaud them as a way to engage consumers on the importance of skin cancer prevention and knowing the warning signs of skin cancer, I worry that they may be giving people a false sense of security. Worse yet, they might delay treatment by providing a false negative diagnosis of a suspicious skin lesion.

Let me tell you, I know first hand about the prevalence and significance of skin cancer. While still in my 20’s I had my first episode of basal cell skin cancer. Since then I’ve had the unfortunate experience of being diagnosed multiple times with all three of the most common types of skin cancer; basal cell, squamous cell and melanoma. Basal cell and squamous cell generally don’t kill you. They just disfigure. Melanoma skin cancer does kill. Thankfully, my melanoma was caught very early and removed at an “in-situ” stage of development.

dermatologyI religiously see my dermatologist every six months, and even more often if I have as much as a nuance that something is changing on my skin. I know from experience that skin cancer is often hard to diagnose even for the most skilled and experienced dermatologists. I’ve had some of the best experts look at lesions on my skin and tell me that I had nothing to worry about. Only by my own insistence that a skin biopsy be performed and examined under a microscope have we learned that, in fact, the lesion was an early cancer. When it comes to skin cancer, a biopsy is still the gold standard for diagnosis. And trust me, you can’ t get a biopsy from a smartphone app.

Over the years, treatment options for skin cancer have improved. Some kinds of skin cancer can be treated with topical medications. Some still require surgical excision. But in all cases, early diagnosis will provide the most optimal results.

So, if you want to educate yourself about the signs and symptoms of skin cancer by using a smartphone app, please have at it. However, please don’t use a smartphone dermatology app as a replacement for being seen by a board certified dermatologist. If there is anything that concerns you about changes on your skin, see a doctor. Even though I am myself a physician, I don’t leave fate to chance. I get examined by my dermatologist. I certainly wouldn’t trust the health of my skin to an app on a smartphone.

TAGGED:dermatologyskin cancer
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Modern Teeth Whitening Technologies Used by Clinics in Ireland
Modern Teeth Whitening Technologies Used by Clinics in Ireland
Dental health
May 29, 2025
stress impact your health
The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
Health Wellness
May 22, 2025
chewing better for health
Chewing Matters More Than You Think: Why Proper Chewing Supports Better Health
Dental health Health
May 22, 2025
Do You Grind Your Teeth at Night? Here’s How Night Guards and TMJ Treatments Can Help
Do You Grind Your Teeth at Night? Here’s How Night Guards and TMJ Treatments Can Help
Dental health
May 21, 2025

You Might also Like

healthcare app development
eHealthMobile Health

Why Should a Healthcare Company Create Their Own App?

May 6, 2021

Population Health Management [INFOGRAPHIC]

November 16, 2013
Image
BusinessNewsSocial Media

Person-Centered HealthCare: EndoGoal – the Diabetes App That Rewards

October 19, 2012

Crowdsourcing for Healthcare Innovation

February 12, 2012
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?