The new technology helping catch deadly skin cancers
New technology is helping catch deadly skin cancers and save lives, with a diagnosis now as simple as the click of a button.
After having a melanoma cut out six years ago, 66-year-old John Panteli is one of the first in Australia to experience the Vectra 3D, revolutionising the way skin cancers are mapped, monitored and diagnosed.
"I was always in the sun, always turning brown and thinking I was OK," Mr Panteli said.
Cameras map every single mole and skin lesion in minute detail.
"In a virtual sense it can lift every mole off your skin and put them in a wagon wheel," dermatologist Dr Rod Sinclair said.
"You can look at the moles from smallest to largest, see which moles are new, which moles are changing."
Two out of three Australians will be diagnosed with a skin cancer by the age of 70.
But on average it takes 12 months after noticing a suspicious mark before getting it looked at - therefore early detection can save lives.
Kirsty Callendar didn't even have to leave home to analyse a mole on her face.
First Check works by using a magnifying attachment on your iPhone to take a picture of a skin lesion, which is then sent to a local specialist.
Kirsty's results came back within an hour.
The app is free to download, which the attachment is $30 and the virtual consultation only $20.
"I'm so much more aware of skin cancer now because I know how easy it is to get checked," Kirsty says.
