FotoFinder

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Melanoma of the skin is the third most common cancer in men and women, and the most common cancer affecting Australians aged 15 to 39. Even one episode of blistering sunburn increases your risk of developing melanoma.

In recent years, surgery and additional treatments, including targeted therapies, immunotherapy and radiotherapy, have increased the life expectancy for people with advanced disease. But being sun smart and detecting and treating melanoma early gives you the best chance of survival.

That’s why we’ve invested in FotoFinder, a computerised mole-mapping system your GP can use to create an accurate, detailed set of photos of your moles. The high-resolution camera connects to a computer and transfers the photos to your doctor’s database. 

This means your GP can compare photos from your initial visit to identify new moles or changes in existing moles.

FotoFinder is an expert system for early melanoma detection. It automatically analyses your moles according to pattern recognition algorithms, quantifies any changes in your mole and gives an indication of whether the lesion may be a melanoma.

What is a melanoma?
Melanomas are the most dangerous form of skin cancer. The majority of melanomas are black or brown. They often resemble moles and some melanomas develop form moles. Early detection and treatment of melanomas is critical to stop the cancer spreading to other parts of the body. Melanomas can occur anywhere on your skin but are most common on the head, neck and trunk in men and the arms and legs in women.

Who’s most at risk of melanoma?

If you have a fair complexion and have had high exposure to UV radiation from the sun or indoor UV tanning beds, you have a higher risk for developing melanoma. Twenty-five percent of melanomas arise from ordinary moles that begin to change shape, size or colour.

Other factors associated with a higher risk of developing melanoma include:

  • having had blistering sunburn

  • having some large moles, many small moles, or moles that have a different appearance to normal moles

  • a family history of melanoma

  • a personal history of melanoma or other skin cancers

  • having a weakened immune system

What are the symptoms of melanoma?

Some melanomas can be more difficult to diagnose because they do not look like typical melanomas. The most common symptoms of melanomas are:

  • a new skin spot or a spot that is changing in shape, size or colour

  • moles with features of the ABCD rule

  • a sore that doesn’t heal

  • a mole that’s itchy, scaly, bleeding, oozing, swollen or painful

  • a spot where pigment has spread to the surrounding skin

While many conditions can cause these symptoms, it’s important speak to your doctor if you notice any of these changes in your skin.