SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Doctors: Don't trust skin cancer apps

Are you worried about a skin change? Checking it out with a mobile app may seem convenient – but is risky, warn researchers behind a new study.

» Updated: 10 September 2024, 13:29

» Published: 20 August 2024

Doctors: Don't trust skin cancer apps
Photo: Skånes universitetssjukhus

Take a picture and get an answer to whether the mole you're worried about is dangerous. A growing number of mobile apps promise quick and smooth analysis of skin moles using artificial intelligence.

But knowing whether the app is really reliable is not entirely easy. This is shown by a new study led by Åsa Ingvar, a dermatologist at Skåne University Hospital and researcher at Lund University.

The researchers have reviewed 21 different mobile apps for skin mole analysis offered by app services in Australia, but of the same type as those available for download in Sweden, according to Åsa Ingvar.

Not sufficiently tested

None of the apps met the labeling recommendations developed by specialist medical associations. This is about important information to understand the app's limitations, Åsa Ingvar believes.

It makes it difficult to understand whether you can trust the results or not, she says.

Previous research has shown that the accuracy of many skin cancer apps is low. This can become a problem when AI analyzes images it has not been trained on, for example, taken with a different camera or on a person with a different skin type.

At the same time, many apps are not properly evaluated. Of those reviewed by the researchers, only a few reported being tested in a clinical study.

Apps should be tested in the same way as medicines before they are released on the market, but that's often not the case today, says Åsa Ingvar.

"A somewhat dangerous field"

Skin cancer apps often have a low threshold for warning about malignant skin changes, according to the researchers. This can cause unnecessary anxiety and burden on healthcare.

Even we doctors and nurses can be influenced to take unnecessary biopsies on a skin change that we don't think is dangerous, but where the patient says "my AI says it can be malignant melanoma", says Åsa Ingvar.

She thinks that AI technology for risk assessments should only be used by doctors for now.

Today, this is a somewhat dangerous field, since the technology is developing so rapidly at the same time as many have an overconfidence in AI. Clearer requirements are needed from the EU and Swedish authorities.

The study is published in the Australasian Journal of Dermatology.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Rapid Spread of Multiresistant Bacteria
1 MIN READ

Rapid Spread of Multiresistant Bacteria

Man Seriously Injured in Accident Involving Lift
1 MIN READ

Man Seriously Injured in Accident Involving Lift

The train is running again over the Öresund Bridge after signal failure
1 MIN READ

The train is running again over the Öresund Bridge after signal failure

Multiple countries are monitoring the Chinese vessel
1 MIN READ

Multiple countries are monitoring the Chinese vessel

Hybrid ground beef takes its place on store shelves
5 MIN READ

Hybrid ground beef takes its place on store shelves

Hauliers strike back: "Everyone has a responsibility"
2 MIN READ

Hauliers strike back: "Everyone has a responsibility"

Woman falls into elevator shaft – taken to hospital
1 MIN READ

Woman falls into elevator shaft – taken to hospital

Discovery: Chimney Smoke Causes Snowfall
3 MIN READ

Discovery: Chimney Smoke Causes Snowfall

The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute warns of sudden ice slicks
1 MIN READ

The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute warns of sudden ice slicks

The Climate Summit Risks Collapse
2 MIN READ

The Climate Summit Risks Collapse

Children Seriously Injured after Crash in Eslöv
1 MIN READ

Children Seriously Injured after Crash in Eslöv

Lidl recalls pizza - may contain metal
1 MIN READ

Lidl recalls pizza - may contain metal

Calls for a meeting about the reading crisis: "Extremely serious"
1 MIN READ

Calls for a meeting about the reading crisis: "Extremely serious"

The Rescue Worker after the Snow Chaos: "There is no Knowledge"
3 MIN READ

The Rescue Worker after the Snow Chaos: "There is no Knowledge"

After Covid – Stocks of Protective Equipment Strengthened
1 MIN READ

After Covid – Stocks of Protective Equipment Strengthened

The SD's homework: Winning over those who don't like the party
2 MIN READ

The SD's homework: Winning over those who don't like the party

"No agreement is better than a bad agreement"
1 MIN READ

"No agreement is better than a bad agreement"

Family Friend Sentenced for Rape of 14-Year-Old
1 MIN READ

Family Friend Sentenced for Rape of 14-Year-Old

Climate Meeting Overtime - Tough Questions Unanswered
3 MIN READ

Climate Meeting Overtime - Tough Questions Unanswered

E22 Open Again After Snow Chaos
1 MIN READ

E22 Open Again After Snow Chaos