Artificial intelligence speeds up skin cancer diagnosis for patients

Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to support the diagnosis of suspected skin cancer for patients in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

The new service, first introduced from Loughborough Community Hospital in March 2022, is now also available in Melton Mowbray, Hinckley and Leicester city. The treatment aims to reduce delays in skin cancer detection so that cancer can be treated quickly. It is the first time that this pioneering technology has been available in the community, outside of a major hospital setting within Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicester’s Hospitals are working with a health tech company called Skin Analytics to provide the dermatology service, which uses the AI technology, called DERM, to analyse high quality images of suspected cancer lesions. The screening identifies cases which may be melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma (types of skin cancer) and require priority investigation by a dermatologist, and those that are safe to refer back to other services such as the patient’s GP.

Out of 1,349 patients referred during the first five months of the service, 549 (41% of patients) were able to be discharged or signposted to other dermatology services without them needing to attend an urgent cancer appointment. This has helped speed up appointments for those patients who do require further investigations by a dermatologist.

Dr Pawan Randev, GP and clinical lead for cancer for the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board, said: “It has been really exciting to see this technology being used for patients in our local area. It speeds up the diagnostic process for suitable patients and helps to ensure that they are only seen in our cancer diagnosis clinics if really necessary. This means that waiting times are reduced for those who need to be seen and treated quickly.”

Lucy Drewery, from Loughborough, is one of the patients who has already benefitted from the service, after she was concerned about a mole on her back. Lucy said: “It was actually a friend who noticed that this mole had changed, it was a different colour and I thought I’d better get it checked out. I contacted my GP and just two weeks later I was seen at Loughborough Hospital, where they took an image of the mole. It was more convenient for me to come to Loughborough instead of driving to Leicester and the appointment was very quick, it took less than 15 minutes.

”After 10 days I had the results back and it’s nothing to worry about which is good! I now have a routine appointment to look at treatment options for the mole, but I am pleased I can put it to the back of my mind until then.”

Patients who are over the age of 18 are referred to the service by their GP for assessment of a skin lesion, when there is a suspicion of skin cancer.

At the appointment, a healthcare professional takes photographs of each skin lesion using a smartphone. One of these photographs will be taken with a special magnifying lens, attached to the smartphone, and placed directly on the skin.

These photographs are then encrypted and analysed by the AI DERM and may also be reviewed by dermatologists if further investigation is required.

The results are sent to the patient by letter within two to three weeks, or the patient may receive a telephone call asking them to attend a face-to-face consultation if required.

Clinical Director of Skin Analytics, Dr Dan Mullarkey, said: “Our ongoing partnership in Leicestershire has been a great example of collaboration between teams across the Integrated Care System, working in unison to deploy an innovative pathway which we expect to better serve the local clinicians and population.

“It’s so impressive to see all these groups coming together to improve care for their patients. Being able to support skin cancer assessments by deploying our AI DERM within communities and closer to patients will help better manage precious clinical resources, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Dr Karen Harman, Head of the Dermatology Service at University Hospitals Leicester added: “Using new AI technology to help diagnose suspected skin cancers is very exciting. More people are checking their skin regularly and coming forward to get their moles and lesions checked when they notice changes – which is fantastic news.

“Skin Analytics not only helps us rule out skin cancer more quickly, giving patients peace of mind, but we can also refer patients to the most appropriate specialist if they need further investigations meaning patients see the right person, first time.”