Self monitoring approaches: apps and strategies for high risk skin cancer

[45RPM]

Hi there, i learned recently that I am at high risk of melanoma due to gene mutation so time to turn up the active monitoring strategies and so looking for info on which approaches work for people. So i see mobile apps that let you track and even a few that use machine learning to assess moles, i see full body photography and in the USA i see molemapping services, so interested to learn from those who have some experience with these, whether they work, and how you approach self monitoring.

I read my General Practitioner have horrible reliability, followed by Derms who are better but still miss a meaningful amount and then what about the frequency of seeing my Derm?

Reading on artificial intelligence it seems it is promising but not clinically proven safe yet - but i also know this is changing so fast as the models are trained, this could be effective sooner than Dr Derms like to admit. I will still go to Dr Derm 2x per year or maybe more now, but i want to get much more proactive as this is not safe enough for me.

Interested to learn from others on this on what works for you and what doesn't.

Thank you so much to the wonderful people on this site who help others

Best regards, 45rpm

[SkcinHQ Partner]

Hi there,

Are you based in the UK? If so MySkinDoctor is perfect for those who don’t want to take time out of their busy schedule to visit a clinic appointment and need fast, expert advice from experienced Consultant Dermatologists

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With MySkinDoctor on your mobile phone or tablet, Consultant advice is at your fingertips wherever you are – at home, work or on the go

Expert Consultant Dermatologists will review your skin condition and provide a diagnosis and management plan, all within 3 working days.

Thanks The Skcin Team

[45RPM in reply to SkcinHQ]

Thank you for your response. I think when one is high risk, one must take time from busy time schedule. MySkinDoctor app looks good. I live in US. I haven't found yet a service in US that is equivalent to this one, but seems i can get equivalent in other ways. I will go to see my derm every 3 months instead of the twice annual which is what i was doing for past few years. I purchased MoleScope camera magnifier and will use that app to track changes myself, and also will use online service to send suspicious in between Derm visits. I will check myself at first of every month. I went to professional to get full body photography to set first baseline and will do this annually as well to keep a high res full body mole map.

It seems like a lot, but in the end, I am highly likely to get melanoma, so its something i feel i must do - and in fact it ends up being quite manageable and it reduces worry. So this is my strategy to manage it, now i let it go knowing i am doing everything i can.

I look forward to the day that machine learning will take over to diagnose moles from mobile phone photos, or at least to detect change - i think this is five years away at most given where we are now - hope that derms get on board and push it over the goal line. Maybe there will always be need for derm checks, just that AI will be an easier and more convenient way for the average person to detect change in between derm visits. Should also lower costs eventually to medical system and save more lives.

thanks again, 45rpm.