Advice

Patient organisation comments

Patient organisation comments

A representative from the patient organisation Melanoma UK gave the following comments on digital technologies for the detection of melanoma.

They reported to have had experience working with 2 of the 4 technologies (SkinVision and Moleanalyzer pro).

The organisation supports using these technologies in multiple places in the pathway, including patient-facing, primary and secondary care settings to support optimum management. The organisation felt that these technologies could change peoples' experiences because they provide opportunities for melanoma skin lesions to be caught early. The organisation highlighted that the technologies could improve patient outcomes through early detection, noting that patient-facing technologies could have the potential to reduce face‑to‑face follow-up appointments at GP practices. The organisation also noted the potential for a reduction in the number of unnecessary biopsies if used in secondary care. The organisation reported that the technologies may particularly benefit:

  • groups of people with white skin

  • those who report always or usually burning and who tan minimally or never

  • those that tend to have either a weakened immune system or family history of melanoma and could benefit from more regular skin monitoring (such as that available with SkinVision).

From working with SkinVision during the COVID-19 pandemic, positive feedback was received from people, saying it was user friendly and easily available.

The organisation highlighted that these technologies are innovative and acknowledged that, although it is a change to current practice, the pandemic has been a catalyst to technological change and as a result people are now more comfortable with these types of technologies. But the organisation highlighted the importance of clear instructions and training materials, such as videos and manuals, to assist with adoption and implementation of patient-facing technologies. These include accessibility considerations for people whose first language is not English, and people with hearing and eyesight difficulties.

The organisation raised concerns over the limited evidence available for people with black and brown skin and the negative impact this may have on patient care.