Buzz
Concerned about a mole? There are apps available to examine individual moles or monitor multiple ones on your body, but keep in mind, they can't replace a visit to a qualified dermatologist.
Understand how the app functions
Mole-analyzing apps, which aim to help you determine whether a doctor’s visit is necessary, typically come in three different types:
Apps that allow you to capture a photo and send it to a dermatologist, typically for a fee. Examples: First Derm, DermatologistOnCall. (These are generally for all skin conditions, not just moles or potential cancer)
Apps that evaluate a photo of a mole and provide an automatic risk assessment for cancer, either high or low. Example: SkinVision.
Apps that don’t assess your moles but enable you to track them over time. Some of these let you take photos of large areas, such as your back, for comparison. Examples: MiiSkin, UMSkinCheck.
Some apps combine various functions, but it’s crucial to understand what the app can actually do. An app that connects you to a real dermatologist is likely more reliable than one that uses algorithms to analyze photos, though neither is a substitute for an in-person dermatologist visit. Apps that allow you to track your own moles require more input and judgment from you.
The app might be inaccurate
Perfection is rare, especially in medical screenings. Apps add additional layers of uncertainty.
Even with advanced “AI,” “machine learning,” or “fractal analysis,” an app can still be wrong. One study found that apps with real dermatologists were accurate 88% of the time for identifying cancerous moles and 97% for benign ones.
At first glance, this may seem like a good idea, but it comes with a significant downside. About 3% of people without skin cancer might be incorrectly told they have it, while 12% of individuals who actually need to be examined could be assured that they're fine. And that's just for apps that send photos to dermatologists. Apps that analyze photos automatically tend to perform even worse.
Your phone's camera simply can't match the precision of a dermatologist's trained eyes.
While algorithms can sometimes identify typical moles, they struggle when it comes to images that don't resemble the usual benign or cancerous patterns they've been trained to recognize.
The issue with your phone’s camera is that, while good, it doesn’t provide the same detailed view as the specialized dermatoscope used by a dermatologist. However, you could buy an at-home camera like the MoleScope for $99 to $299 to capture higher quality pictures.
Additionally, you’re taking pictures of isolated moles, unlike a visit to a dermatologist, who might notice other areas of concern that you hadn’t even considered, like a spot on your back while you're focused on a mole on your arm.
Ultimately, the decision is still in your hands.
While apps can give you a clue about whether a mole might be concerning, it's still up to you to decide if you should take a picture in the first place and whether or not to reach out to a professional.
This is why it's essential to know what signs to look for in a mole. The ABCDE mnemonic can guide you: check for asymmetry, the border shape, the color, the diameter (size), and whether it appears to be evolving, or changing over time.
Apps that track mole changes over time, like MiiSkin and UMSkinCheck, can help you monitor evolution, but they don’t diagnose skin conditions. If you read the fine print, you’ll see that none of these apps claim to replace a doctor. Stay vigilant with your moles, apply sunscreen, and see an actual doctor when possible.
