AI app detects skin cancer using only smartphone camera

A new artificial intelligence-powered smartphone app designed to detect skin cancer has received the highest level of medical device approval in Europe, paving the way for faster diagnoses and potentially easing pressure on NHS dermatology services.

Daily Mail reported the technology, known as Derm AI, allows healthcare professionals to assess moles and skin lesions using a smartphone camera without the need for specialist lens attachments previously required by earlier versions of the system.

Developed by British healthcare company Skin Analytics, the software analyses images for patterns associated with skin cancer and other skin conditions. Lesions considered harmless are marked as low risk, while suspicious findings are flagged for further clinical review.

Technology Already Used Across NHS Pathways

An earlier version of the technology has already been used within the NHS, helping clinicians detect approximately 20,000 cancers among more than 230,000 patients.

The latest version removes the need for additional hardware, potentially allowing patients to receive clinical-grade assessments at GP surgeries and pharmacies without requiring a hospital appointment.

According to Skin Analytics, the software has been trained using thousands of medically verified images to improve its diagnostic accuracy.

High Accuracy in Detecting Melanoma

The company says the technology is 99.8 per cent effective at identifying melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer.

Melanoma affects around 20,000 people in the UK each year and is responsible for more than 2,300 deaths annually. Most cases are linked to exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight or sunbeds.

Health experts have warned that melanoma diagnoses in the UK reached record levels last year, with cases rising significantly over the past decade.

Common warning signs include the appearance of a new mole or noticeable changes in the size, shape or colour of an existing mole. Melanomas can develop anywhere on the body but are more frequently found on areas regularly exposed to the sun.

Experts Say Earlier Detection Could Improve Outcomes

Dr Alexandra Kemp, consultant dermatologist and cancer clinical director at Amersham Hospital, said the technology has already improved efficiency within skin cancer pathways.

“I've assessed thousands of skin lesions for potential skin cancer,” Kemp said.

“Since we first employed Derm in our skin cancer pathway, there has been a great impact on our clinical capacity, and it has made a real difference to the efficiency of the care we can provide.”

She added that earlier diagnosis remains one of the most important factors in improving outcomes for patients with skin cancer.

“When it comes to skin cancer, we know early diagnosis means better outcomes,” she said.

“To see this technology available on a smartphone, with no specialist equipment required, creates huge possibilities for expanding patient access and enabling earlier diagnosis.”

Potential to Reduce Waiting Times

The introduction of smartphone-based AI screening could help address long waiting times for dermatology assessments by allowing more patients to receive rapid evaluations outside hospital settings.

Supporters of the technology believe wider adoption could enable healthcare providers to prioritise higher-risk cases more quickly while reassuring patients whose skin lesions do not require further investigation.

As skin cancer rates continue to rise, healthcare leaders hope innovations such as AI-assisted screening can improve access to care and support earlier intervention for patients with potentially life-threatening conditions.