Skin Scan

http://gigaom.com/cloud/skin-scan-wants-to-fight-cancer-using-iphones-and-big-data/

Skin Scan is an iPhone app that lets consumers take pictures of questionable moles. Users take a picture of the mole, which then gets sent to Skin Scan’s servers. Then, Skin Scan’s algorithm analyzes the image and sends the user back the likelihood that the mole is dangerous. The information is stored in the application so the user can track the moles. This is great because moles can change shape and become abnormal over time. This will help users track their skin. Eventually, users will not need to go see a dermatologist regularly for check ups and can simply do a self check by using Skin Scan. If doctors can examine patients’ moles without in-person visits, it saves time and money.

I thought this application was really interesting. Smartphones are coming out with better cameras, and its amazing that technology has come this far. The cameras are equivalent to technology used in the medical field. Although the accuracy rate is 70% (compared to 85% for in-person visits with dermatologists), in the future this number will increase. Someday in-person visits will not even be needed and everything can be done electronically.