App alerts Cannock family to cancer risk
A mother from Staffordshire who used to be addicted to sunbeds was diagnosed with skin cancer after a phone app alerted her to a dangerous mole.
Natalie Killian, 39, downloaded an app which keeps track of any moles which may turn cancerous by logging pictures and alerting the user to any changes, meaning they are high-risk.
The mother-of-one, from Cannock, had previously used a sunbed five times a week, before she became worried about the risk.
The SkinVision phone app then warned her to seek out a doctor's opinion on the mole but her first GP told her there was nothing to worry about.
However, the app continued to send warnings and a second GP referred her to a specialist where she was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma – a common form of skin cancer.
Natalie said: "Back in my early 20s I was using sunbeds a lot, Monday to Friday I would go on my lunch break, for the maximum time I could.
"Having a tan really boosted my self-esteem, I was bullied at school and I think it made me feel better about myself, looking back it was an addiction.
"Back then no one was really aware of the risks, there were no medical forms to fill in and everyone was using sunbeds.
"I don't think anyone really knew how much I was using them."
The graphic designer kicked the habit 10 years ago after becoming more aware of the risks involved with using sunbeds but was always conscious that she should keep track of any changes to her skin.
Natalie said: "I think now that it is reported in the press more, I started to become more aware of the damage sunbeds caused.
"I also met my partner and I think I became a lot less self-conscious that I needed a tan to feel better about myself.
"I knew with my history that I should keep an eye on any moles I had but I struggled to keep track of them, I would forget to take pictures or lose them.
"When I became pregnant with my little boy I decided that I should make sure I was tracking them more seriously but didn't come across the SkinVision app until about two or three years ago."
Natalie, who lives with husband Jason, 43 and four-year-old son, Max, first noticed a small pink lesion on her chest early last year, and took a picture using the app which detects if the mole is a low, medium or high risk.
However in January this year Natalie noticed the mole had changed in shape and height and after tracking its progress, she was sent a message via the app, telling her the mole was medium-risk and she should monitor it.
For peace of mind, Natalie visited her GP, who reassured her that there was nothing to worry about but after more emails from the app warned her that she should get the mole checked, she decided to seek a second opinion.
After switching to another GP, Natalie was given an urgent referral and diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin that appears on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, head and neck.
Natalie said: "I was really shocked by the diagnoses because you never think it's going to happen to you.
"Jason has been so supportive and kept me positive when I was worried about the worst case scenario."
Natalie underwent surgery to remove the invasive mole in August and although she has been left with a one-inch scar on her chest, she has now been given the all-clear.
She said: "I will definitely be using the app in the future.
"Life is so busy and you're always putting things off but without the app, I wouldn't have kept track of the changes.
"If I had not of tracked the mole myself, I'm not sure the NHS would ever have acted."
