Kiwi camera fights skin cancer

A kiwi-designed camera with advanced photographic technology is helping win the battle against skin cancer.

Auckland-based dermatology company MoleMap has developed a unique camera specifically designed to accurately photograph and map moles for early detection.

World leaders in melanoma surveillance, MoleMap designed and developed the device over the past five years which are now used by clinics, dermatologists and general practioners across Australasia and will soon be available in the US.

“We are excited about the diagnostic potential of this new technology,” says chief executive of MoleMap NZ Adrian Bowling. “It means we have a reliable custom camera to improve our mole imaging and diagnosis and ultimately utilise it to help save lives.”

The camera includes an interface to MoleMap sequential monitoring ‘MoleCam’ software, which assists the consecutive monitoring potential of melanoma.

More than 300 New Zealanders die of skin cancer each year and MoleMap say the camera was developed due to the supply uncertainty of off-the-shelf multi-purpose cameras.

The 50 clinics, with nearly 30,000 patients seen annually across New Zealand and Australia, utilise an Auckland-based central server to store and access patient image files and data.

The technology is regarded as one of the world’s most advanced melanoma and skin cancer screening programme and sells for about $3000 including software.

Do you think this will help win the battle against skin cancer? Let us know your thoughts below.