Harnessing AI to Promote Skin Cancer Prevention through Behavioral Change
Dr Anne Lepetit is the Chief Medical Officer at Bupa, a global healthcare corporation serving over 50 million customers and employing around 80,000 individuals. With over 25 years of experience in crisis management, emergency medical services, and health insurance, Anne has a rich background in the medical field, having worked as an emergency department doctor for a decade and an evacuation doctor for six years. Her prior roles include positions as Chief Medical Officer at various prominent organizations such as Cigna Healthcare, Allianz, Henner, and Europe Assistance.
In the past year, we’ve witnessed significant progress in AI-assisted cancer diagnostics as increasing numbers of medical professionals experiment with, adopt, and weave AI tools into everyday practice.
Skin cancer detection is undergoing transformation with AI technologies expected to be crucially implemented in this field moving forward. What implications does AI have for skin cancer detection? A 2024 study by Stanford Medicine researchers demonstrated that clinicians’ ability to diagnose skin cancer improved with the aid of deep learning AI. In this study, clinicians not using AI assistance had an average sensitivity rate of 74.8%, while those using AI reached about 81.1%.
Interestingly, this AI assistance benefitted healthcare providers across various levels of expertise, notably enhancing the diagnostic abilities of non-dermatologists the most.
AI for skin cancer can impact behaviour change
Cancer rates are climbing among the youth. A study shown in BMJ Oncology details that the incidence of cancer has soared by nearly 80% in individuals under 50 over the past thirty years. Over the last ten years, the rate of melanoma skin cancer has escalated by 38%, with an annual increase in Spain of 2.4% during the same timeframe.
Early detection of skin cancer leads to effective treatment and an encouraging prognosis. However, busy schedules and varied priorities delay many from undergoing timely health checks, thus postponing diagnosis and treatment, adversely affecting survival rates. Those who notice warning signs often delay consulting a professional. Indeed, recent findings from Bupa in Attitudes Towards Digital Healthcare reveal a mere 9% would promptly seek professional advice for a concerning mole.
Yet, the same study suggests a significant shift with AI intervention; access to a mole assessment via an AI-powered phone app at their convenience increases this figure to 33%. This development highlights how innovative technologies can drive positive behavioural changes in healthcare, enhancing the treatment outcomes for serious conditions.
Bupa now offers an at-home dermatology tool
At Bupa, we are harnessing the power of AI to enhance patient care, streamline operations, and support our customers in achieving healthier, longer, and happier lives. We understand the necessity for a healthcare partner that assists not only during illnesses but continuously supports their wellbeing.
This led us to introduce Blua, our digital healthcare platform accessible in over 200 countries. Blua provides three groundbreaking healthcare solutions that enhance convenience and accessibility. These include virtual consultations, allowing users to connect with healthcare professionals from anywhere, digital health programmes that help users manage their health actively, and remote healthcare services, offering features like prescription deliveries and home monitoring devices.
In Spain, Blua facilitates an at-home dermatology assessment for our customers. Users concerned about a skin lesion can capture high-resolution images with their smartphone. They upload these images to Blua, where AI technology compares them against a vast database of skin lesion images to examine for potential signs of malignancy.
The tool’s algorithms are capable of identifying up to 302 different skin pathologies. Should the tool determine there’s a potential issue, it alerts the user to arrange a follow-up appointment with a physician for a more detailed examination and necessary preventive measures.
The future of healthcare means early detection
Digital healthcare and AI are set to fundamentally alter the landscape by breaking down barriers that often delay individuals from addressing health concerns such as unusual moles in a timely manner. This shift encourages proactive health management which can be life-saving. Blua proves particularly valuable in today’s fast-paced environment by offering convenience through virtual consultations and home testing, enabling people to focus on their health without compromising their schedules.
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