Skin cancer caught on camera

Last updated at 12:30 15 August 2004


A new system of detecting early skin cancers using a digital camera and computer imaging software has been hailed a success after its first three months.

The "revolutionary" pilot scheme was set up in East and North Hertfordshire as a way of fast-tracking the treatment of patients with lumps and bumps on their skin.

The project has seen the numbers of patients being referred for outpatient appointments drop by 60% since it was launched.

When a patient goes to see his GP with a skin lesion the doctor takes a digital image of the problem to send to a plastic surgeon.

The surgeon can then view the image electronically and make a diagnosis - often preventing a wasted trip to hospital.

Nick James, the consultant plastic surgeon leading the pilot scheme at the Lister hospital, in Stevenage, said: "In most cases, the skin lesion does not require any further management or can be cared for by the GP."

"On rare occasion, however, we do pick up conditions that might require further investigation and treatment in hospital, which can now happen more quickly than might otherwise have been the case."

Dr Raj Chand, GP at Letchworth's Garden City surgery involved in the pilot said: "Anything that prevents a patient having to go into hospital has to be a good thing."

John Stoddard, 82, of Letchworth, is one of the first patients to benefit from the imaging service.

The retired company director went to see Dr Chand about a small lump on his back fearing it was melanoma.

He was diagnosed via the digital system without having to go into hospital.

After it was found he had a basal cell carcinoma, the most minor of skin cancers he was given an appointment to have it removed.

"It was good to learn quickly that my lump was easily treatable and to see it removed just a few weeks after I first went to see Dr Chand," he said.

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