Dr. Harvey Lui showing some love to the amazing Aura scan Detection leaping forward
Dermatologists now have a powerful tool for detecting possible skin cancers.
Developed at the B.C. Cancer Agency and UBC, Dr. Harvey Lui and his team invented a portable device that scans mole and skin lesions and tell doctors instantly whether the spot is possibly malignant.
Commercially known as the Verisante Aura, Lui says the device is 95.99 per cent accurate in detecting skin cancer within seconds, where as a lab test would require a minimum of 30 minutes.
Lui said the device is just another tool available to doctors, who previously heavily relied on their own sight and experience in diagnosing skin cancer.
The device works by exposing skin to certain types of light that can detect changes in skin composition.
Aura is currently being used as several dermatology clinics across Canada, including Vancouver.
Most people’s first line of detection, however, is often a partner or spouse.
“Statistics show most cases are detected by partners or family members,” said Lui. “Your spouse can save your life by just looking at your back.”
He encourages anyone who finds an abnormal mole or spot on their skin to visit a doctor.
If caught early enough, a simple biopsy is usually enough to remove the spot and prevent cancerous cells from becoming a problem.
https://metronews.ca/news/vancouver/724623/skin-cancer-risk-flares-up-with-summer-heat/