Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide and the only cancer that has steadily increased in recent years.
In about 90% of the cases, a basal cell carcinoma or a squamous cell carcinoma is diagnosed – e.g., white or light skin cancer. This dominant variant is usually easy to treat.
Much less frequently, about 10% of cases develop the dangerous black skin cancer (malignant melanoma). Ascending trend!
These are almost 100% curable if detected early enough.
The most modern method of early detection provides a regular monitoring and control of the entire skin and of each individual mole.
From now on, we can offer our patients in the German Medical Center in Carvoeiro a computer-assisted and photo-documented skin cancer screening with artificial intelligence.
Computer-aided video documentation with artificial intelligence
Computer-assisted video documentation of birthmarks is the most modern method for early skin cancer detection. With a video camera, a precise mole catalogue is made and saved.
Conspicuous birthmarks are also recorded under a reflected-light microscope and then processed on the computer for analysis with the help of artificial intelligence. The digital storage of your complexion (birthmarks) enables an objective comparison of previous and current skin.
When patients return for the regular mole check, even the smallest changes in the moles can be identified.
Therefore, we use state-of-the-art Fotofinder Technology for mole mapping and video dermoscopy.
Advantages of digital skin cancer screening:
- Your dermatologist can recognise and assess even small optical changes in your birthmarks. You can follow the completely painless examination on the screen.
- The procedure provides security from head to toe, especially for patients with many birthmarks, since the entire complexion is digitally stored and observed.
- Regular examination of your skin avoids unnecessary operations on harmless birthmarks.
FAQs:
Am I a high-risk patient?
If you can answer “yes” to any of the questions, please contact us!
- Are you a light skin type that reacts sensitively to sunlight?
- Do you have a particularly large number of pigmented moles?
- Do you have large congenital nevi?
- Do you have atypical moles or moles that have recently changed?
- Did you get sunburn as a child or adolescent?
- Is there a history of skin cancer in your family?
- Did you already have skin cancer?
- Are you exposed to strong sunlight or UV rays at regular intervals?
Particular caution with:
- Newly-developed moles
- Changes in colour (e.g., lighter darker, new shades)
- Changes in the surrounding area of moles, e.g., redness, white colouration, swelling)
- Increase or decrease of size, thickness, or elevation
- Bleeding moles
- Discomfort (e.g., itching, burning, foreign body sensation)
The ABCDE of birthmarks:
The ABCDE rule is helpful for assessing a mole.
If a birthmark has two or more of the following characteristics, you should show it to your dermatologist!
- Asymmetry (irregular shape)
- Borders (blurred, fringed, jagged)
- Colouration (irregular colour, e.g., dark brown, black-brown, reddish, grey-white areas)
- Diameter (bigger >5mm)
- Elevation (uneven, bumpy surface)
- Evolution (changes of the mole in the past three months)
Bottom line: Have your moles checked regularly by a dermatologist!
We at the German Medical Center in Carvoeiro are at your disposal with our competence and experience.
By Shirin Samimi-Fard
German Medical Centre, Carvoeiro
925 100 118 | samimi_fard@yahoo.de
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