Screening for skin cancer is advised for people with many moles or atypical moles, fair skin or a history of excessive sun exposure, a personal history of skin cancer or precancerous spots, or a parent or sibling who has had skin cancer. Each year, Stanford dermatologists offer a free screening for those in the local community, and this year's event - being held tomorrow, May 31 - will offer more than the experienced eyes of skin clinicians.
Understanding that many people have concerns about one particular spot, the organizers are debuting a form of fast-track evaluation for just such concerns. During the Spot Check service, clinicians will use and study a new Stanford-developed smartphone-based device. As Justin Ko, MD, co-chief of medical dermatology at Stanford Hospital & Clinics, explained to me, "The device allows a user to capture clinical images of a skin lesion with their smartphone previously possible only with specialized, expensive devices typically used by dermatologists. We'll be doing some studies to validate what we believe may well 'democratize' ability to capture and send medical-quality images of skin lesions by making this technology accessible and easy to use."
The screening event (.pdf) will also include information on SUNSPORT, a collaboration of the Stanford Cancer Institute, the medical school’s Department of Dermatology, Stanford Athletics, and Stanford Hospital & Clinics, which provides student-athletes with information about their heightened risks for sun-related skin damage and works with the teams’ coaches and athletic trainers to reinforce skin-protection practices on a daily basis.
For local readers: The event runs from 8-11 AM at the Stanford Medicine Outpatient Center in Redwood City. Call (650) 723-6316 for more information.
Previously: Skin cancer images help people check skin more often and effectively, Working to protect athletes from sun dangers, Stanford clinic addresses cancer-related skin issues, As summer heats up take steps to protect your skin and Man’s story shows how cancer screenings saves lives
Photo by Tom Godber
