A revolutionary NHS trial in Devon and Cornwall is transforming skin cancer detection using smartphone technology. The “Map My Mole” app, combined with a special clip-on lens, has reduced hospital referrals by 50% while dramatically speeding up diagnosis times.
How It Works
- Patients receive a magnifying lens for their phone
- They photograph suspicious moles/lesions
- The app collects health information and images
- Dermatologists review cases within days (vs weeks/months for traditional referrals)
Impressive Results
- 1,500+ moles reviewed in 10 months across 3 GP practices
- Referral rates dropped from ~20% to 10%
- GP consultation time cut from 15 minutes to 2-4 minutes
- 84-year-old Dee Noakes received a dermatology appointment within a week after her GP flagged concerns via the app
Broader Benefits
- Reduces pressure on overloaded dermatology services
- Frees up specialists to treat eczema, psoriasis and acne
- Aligns with NHS goals to “keep care closer to home”
- Already used in 915 private UK clinics, reviewing 5,000+ lesions
Dr. Toby Nelson, the consultant dermatologist behind the trial, notes: “We’re projecting specialist expertise into primary care – this could free up tens of thousands of NHS appointments nationwide.”
With skin cancer cases rising but 90% of referrals being benign, this innovation promises faster care for those who need it most while easing systemic bottlenecks. Health officials are now considering rolling it out across more NHS practices.
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