Like all mums, I worry a lot. Probably more than I really need to, but, hey, it’s what we mums do.
One of the biggest concerns that circles through my mind (often at 3am) is my family’s health.
Is that strange niggle a sign of something serious? Could my daughter’s cough be more than just a cough? Are we at risk for something serious, like cancer, without even realising it? Should I be doing more to ensure our health is on track?Â
The cold harsh truth is that worries around health are actually warranted, especially when it comes to skin cancer concerns. Australia has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world with some two in three Australians diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they are 70. So, when my three little ones are 70, TWO of them may have already had a run in with melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer.
How scary is that?
Protecting your family from becoming a skin cancer statistic
The good news is that if melanoma is identified at an early stage, simple treatment can result in a complete cure. The better news is that there are heaps of preventative measures to help bring these scary stats down. Measures like slipping on a rashie, slopping on sunscreen and slapping on a hat.
But even if you are super sun-safe, moles can continue to pop up all over our bodies. And all over our kiddies’ bodies too.
Moles can be a scary sight, especially when they are dark, large or misshapen. It’s important that all Aussies head to the GP once a year to have all moles checked. But there is something you can do in between check-ups to ensure that these moles are not turning into something more worrying.
What can you do? You can download the SkinVision app.
The easiest way to be skin cancer aware – it’s all in an app
SkinVision, available on both Android and Apple devices, can give you vital information about your skin cancer risk based on your skin type, your location and your sun exposure.
It literally takes two minutes to fill out the info and get your profile sorted.
Instant risk assessment on your mole
What makes this app so incredible is that it can also assess your risk level for skin cancer in a matter of seconds.
All you do is take a picture of the mole and within 30 seconds, you’ll receive a risk indication (low-medium-high). If you are at high risk, then the SkinVision dermatologists perform continuous quality control testing and may be in touch with you via email to determine your next steps.
Want to try it? In honour of Skin Cancer Awareness Week, you can get TWO free assessments if you download the app now.Â
Instant skin cancer checks from your phone
You can take photos of all the different moles on your body, save them and even organise them into folders (like left arm, right leg, and so on). You can even do your kids’ moles.
I’ve been using it for a week now and have managed to photograph pretty much every little skin lesion I can find on my body. So far all have come back low risk and I cannot even describe the peace of mind it provides.
Of course, we all need to still visit our GP and have our skin check yearly. But those 365 days between checks can now be worry-free ones.
Sounds great, right? But can an app really detect skin cancer?
Yes. It can. Just ask businesswoman and mother, Louise Burgess from rural Canberra, Australia. Louise first downloaded the SkinVision app in November 2016 after becoming a little concerned about a mole on her arm.
She photographed the mole, submitted her deets and completely forgot about it. As you do when you have a million other things to worry about. The assessment came back with a Medium Risk Warning, which is a potential indication of the development of skin cancer.
“God knows what would have happened’
However, she then received an email from SkinVision team, indicating they had done a routine post evaluation of Louise’s photo. And she needed to act. Fast.
Louise took their advice, booked an appointment with her GP and discovered the mole was an early stage melanoma. Louise had surgery to remove all traces of the melanoma, grateful she took that one photo and caught it early.
“God knows what would have happened if I didn’t download the app. If I hadn’t have got that email, I still wouldn’t have got it checked,” Louise tells Mum Central.
Stay on top of skin cancer
Louise isn’t the only one to receive the startling news from SkinVision. In fact, the app alone has detected over 27,000 cases of skin cancer on a global scale and comes with a 93.4% success rate at recognising melanoma.
According to Erik de Heus, the CEO of SkinVision, “We find an average of five photos with a clear suspicion of skin cancer every single day.”
Download SkinVision NOW… It could save a life
With SkinVision the first mole assessment is completely free. Any additional checks will cost $7.99 or $39.99 for unlimited checks for a year.
But, in honour of Skin Cancer Awareness Week this week, we have a special offer for all Mum Central readers, giving you TWO free skin checks! Simply click below to download and get checking!
We mums will always worry. It’s in our DNA. The SkinVision app won’t stop you worrying about your kids but it can give peace of mind that you are staying on top of skin cancer. And, if that means one less thing for mums to worry about, then I am all for it!
