A skin cancer detection application developed by Skin Analytics has been updated to operate using a smartphone camera without the need for an additional lens attachment, according to the developers. The app, called Derm, is currently undergoing testing within the NHS and is designed to identify potentially malignant moles by analyzing photographs taken with the phone’s built-in camera.

The original version of Derm was evaluated in NHS clinical settings involving over 230,000 patients, during which it identified approximately 20,000 cases of skin cancer. However, this earlier iteration required a specialized camera lens attachment to capture suitable images for analysis.

The new update aims to enhance accessibility and convenience by eliminating the need for extra hardware, allowing medical practitioners to utilize the application more efficiently during routine examinations. Derm works by capturing images of suspicious skin lesions and comparing these with an extensive database to assess the risk of cancerous changes.

The integration of artificial intelligence in dermatology screening represents a growing trend in medical technology, with the potential to facilitate earlier detection and streamline referral processes. Details regarding the timeframe for full NHS deployment and long-term clinical outcomes of the smartphone-enabled version have not yet been disclosed.