Due to lack of appointment with the dermatologist, this pharmacy uses artificial intelligence to detect skin cancers

Friday 11th October 2024 06:05 AM

the essential
The Skinmed start-up in Ribérac in Dordogne uses artificial intelligence to detect possible skin cancers in pharmacies. Due to the difficulty in obtaining a quick appointment with the dermatologist, this initiative does not replace medical advice, but helps reassure patients in case of doubt.

In Ribérac, in Dordogne, a pharmacy uses artificial intelligence to help screen for skin diseases, reports France 3 Nouvelle Aquitaine. Thanks to a device developed by local start-up Skinmed, patients can quickly have photos of moles or other suspicious lesions analyzed. In seconds, the AI provides a preliminary diagnosis and indicates whether it is necessary to consult a dermatologist.

“Today, it is capable of detecting nine different types of lesions”

The main advantage is to allow patients to save time, due to the lack of appointments for this profession, as Philippe points out to our colleagues: “It will save me from waiting six months for an appointment at the dermatologist.” Suspicious photos are then sent to a dermatologist, who confirms or not the need for a consultation within 48 hours.

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Since February, this pharmacy has carried out more than 150 screenings. This service costs around 15 euros and allows you to quickly identify possible skin problems. “Today, it is capable of detecting nine different types of lesions, malignant, but also benign and the index of malignancy,” explains Jennifer Gauthier, president of the Skinmed start-up in Ribérac. “There, they don’t need to go and “bother” a dermatologist for nothing.