Skin cancer is a very common threat that many people face, and those at risk usually have to undergo routine professional checks to determine if cancerous moles or lesions are forming. A new iPhone app seeks to change all that, however, by helping you perform the check yourself (via The Atlantic, Gizmodo).
UMSkinCheck was developed by the University of Michigan as a tool to perform self-exams and keep a record of skin changes over time. The app works by having the user take 23 photographs of their body in various positions, and then determines whether or not any of those images show signs of skin cancer.
While the app won’t completely replace the need for a professional exam, it could go a long way in helping those at risk for skin cancer reduce their number of expensive medical checkups. It’s a beautiful concept, as long as it works properly.
Equally amazing is that the iPhone – as with many of today’s smartphones – contains a camera of a high enough quality to check for skin disease! The app is available now for free from the App Store (direct link).