The camera on your phone is quite powerful for developing apps that work in unique ways. This method of using the camera could actually help you detect whether you have skin cancer!
It sure sounds kinda crazy that this is even possible but because it can tap into a database of endless photos of skin cancer this can actually be a reality.
“My main Eureka moment was when I realized just how ubiquitous smartphones will be,” Esteva added. “Everyone will have a supercomputer in their pockets with a number of sensors in it, including a camera. What if we could use it to visually screen for skin cancer? Or other ailments?”
Detected early enough, skin cancer sufferers have a 97 percent survival rate. Diagnosis is usually made by spotting the telltale signs by eye, which is where this software may become useful.
Researchers are working on finding other medical uses for deep learning such as spotting diabetic retinopathy or other forms of cancer.
Image courtesy of: zest of the loganberry
