To help improve melanoma detection and to mark World Cancer Day 2021, Melanoma UK and health technology company SkinVision is joining forces to provide a service that helps people to perform regular skin checks and flags up potential cancers to the attention of healthcare professionals.

A recent global survey of over 700 dermatologists conducted by the Global Melanoma Coalition has revealed the shocking impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on the detection of melanoma skin cancer. Compared to a normal year of performing patient skin examinations, dermatologists estimate that one fifth (21%) of melanomas may have gone undiagnosed in 2020, with one third (33.6%) of dermatological appointments missed due to the pandemic. Dermatologists expect 3735 melanomas went undetected in the United Kingdom last year alone, an alarming statistic to read on World Cancer Day 2021.

With early detection being the key to the treatment of melanomas and other skin cancers, the fact that an estimated 3735 Britons missed their early stage melanoma diagnosis is lethal.  The new SkinVision Melanoma UK service will prompt users to make regular skin checks a habit, in line with the ongoing ‘LOOK UP’ campaign. In app reminders, body mapping and 95% accurate AI smartcheck assessments help people to seek care when they need it. 

SkinVision will be discounting annual Skinhealth programmes by 50% until March 2022. This offer is available on both iPhone and Android devices. 

As the SkinVision charity of choice, a donation will be made to Melanoma UK for every UK licence purchased to further other awareness campaigns.

SkinVision’s UK Director, Gavin Matthews said, “The drop in skin cancer diagnoses during the pandemic is a huge concern, and we haven’t even felt the impact yet. Alongside our work with the NHS to help them recover, this partnership is really exciting because it goes right to the root of the problem. The biggest challenge is still that people don’t have the awareness to check their skin often enough and don’t have the skills to check accurately when they do. Melanoma UK’s mission is something we’re proud to be part of, not just by helping early detection with our service now, but also through the other great work that our ongoing donations will support.”

Melanoma UK’s Diane Cannon said, “The lockdowns that have been necessary during the Covid crisis, coupled with the additional strain on healthcare systems, have led to a worrying proportion of professional skin checks being missed. With this trend set to continue until we all emerge from the pandemic, it has never been more important for people to check their own skin for melanoma. In our fight against skin cancer, early detection is critical. Embracing the use of technology through our partnership with SkinVision, we can encourage everybody to find just 10 minutes a month and make a skin self-examination part of their regular routine. Everyone needs this app – it could save your life.”

ABOUT SKINVISION:

SkinVision is the leading service for the early detection of skin cancer with over 1.2 million users in 50+ countries worldwide. The BSI certified SkinVision app uses clinically validated technology to assess user smartphone photos of skin spots and moles for the most common types of skin cancer. It's AI technology provides an instant risk assessment and recommendations on the next steps to take. 

ABOUT GLOBAL COALITION FOR MELANOMA PATIENT ADVOCACY:

The Global Coalition for Melanoma Patient Advocacy was formed in 2014 by the Melanoma Research Foundation in response to the global need to bring the patient voice to the melanoma space.

The group has grown to include patient organisations from 27 different countries and is enthusiastically supported by its partners around the world, as well as the global patient, healthcare and pharmaceutical communities. The Coalition meets the vital needs of the worldwide melanoma community through three working groups, which each specialise in a unique area that addresses globally relevant issues for melanoma patients, encompassing:

• Melanoma Awareness and Patient Resources
• Patient Advocacy and Access to Treatment
• Collaboration and Recruitment

The Global Coalition for Melanoma Patient Advocacy meets annually and is determined to make the deadliest skin cancer curable through its worldwide partnership. Melanoma UK is proud to represent the UK and is a member of the coalition steering group.

The details of the Global Coalition LOOK UP Campaign can be found here.