Medicine & healthcare

FDA Approves AI-Powered Skin Cancer Detector

JAN 17 2024·Updated JAN 18 2024

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The Facts

Miami-based device maker DermaSensor announced Wednesday that its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered device to help physicians detect cancer on suspicious moles or lesions has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The product is also called DermaSensor.
Reuters
The wireless, handheld device uses spectroscopy technology to examine lesions at cellular and subcellular levels before its algorithm scans the characteristics of the skin. It was evaluated in a Mayo Clinic-led study across 22 centers with over 1K patients, resulting in a 96% sensitivity rate for all 224 types of skin cancer, as well as a 97% accuracy rate for identifying benign tumors.
Targeted Oncology
Currently, doctors check for skin cancer either through a specialized microscope or a visual examination. DermaSensor, in contrast, emits light onto the skin and captures the wavelengths of light that reflect off of cellular structures beneath the skin.
Reuters
In another study that included 108 physicians, DermaSensor was found to reduce missed cancer diagnoses from 18% to 9%. However, the FDA is requiring the company to conduct more clinical trials on the device's performance on different demographic groups once it's on the market. It will reportedly cost $199 per month for five patients and $399 per month for unlimited use.
Forbes
This comes as one in five Americans over 70 years old have had some type of skin cancer, with an estimated 5.5M new cases per year and medical treatment costs totaling $8.1B annually.
Business Wire

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The Spin

Narrative A

Using AI in oncology will revolutionize cancer detection and treatment. Tests like these will allow patients to avoid uncomfortable and invasive procedures while also obtaining incredibly accurate results. Furthermore, scientists are developing AI tools to better prescribe chemotherapy and even drug treatments. This technology will be a powerful assistant to doctors in the fight against cancer.

Pharmacy Times

Narrative B

The assimilation of AI into healthcare runs the risk of giving those with a financial stake too much power. Even as AI makes health care more efficient, the government must make sure inexpensive options aren't disregarded in favor of more profitable choices.

Forbes