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Nutz4Health
2 Posts |
 Posted - 10/21/2009 : 00:45:15
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Hi,
If anyone has ever heard of dermascopy, dermatoscopy, or dermascope,
it would be greatly appreciated if you would share what you know on the topic. Best I can tell from internet research is that a dermascope is a device to help view skin lesions and identify what type of skin cancer a person has WITHOUT CUTTING (without excision and biopsy). This detection method is known as dermascopy or dermatoscopy. I've read that only 25% of the dermatologists use this device/method. Yet I can't seem to locate a local dermatologist office that is familiar with any of these words. My friend also has some skin lesions she is dealing with and she called some health care providers in NC and they said they believed that dermascopy was only used for "mapping" (for a person with many moles on the body to monitor changes.)
ANY INPUT IS APPRECIATED.
THANKS |
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annieh
41 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2010 : 21:13:44
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Yes I have been to one of the specialist skin cancer clinics here in Australia that uses this kind of screening device.
I think the device is great but no substitute for trained specialist interpretation. I mean you can't rely just on a machine.
The clinic I went to which had the screening device is staffed by GPs and in my opinion, the interpretation and choice of treatment afterward the computer diagnosis has to be done by an expert dermatologist, not by a GP who has some training and a machine/camera device.
The good thing in my case was, the computer/camera device identified something on my scalp as a bcc at once. (It was the reason I had walked in their door : my so called scalp psoriasis was really sore and bleeding.) So I was very grateful for the analysis: yes, a bcc. not psoriasis at all.
But after a lot of reflection and prayer, I decided not to let that clinic actually carry out any treatment procedures.
Instead, I took their results back to my usual dermatologist and I got him to advise me: I also got a 2nd opinion from my GP. In the end the derm removed the bcc by excision. I am happy with that decision and will in future let the clinic use its computers to analyse things but get the derm make expert decisions.
At least I have a map of my body now, accurately photographed. (Have not yet explored the iphone app someone mentioned elsewhere).
Another thing: the device at the clinic identified lots of other suspect things and I had 12 biopsied. It was very expensive but one of the 12 was serious: an scc. Also excised by the dermatologist.
For myself, I do believe it wise to keep in touch with the specialist dermatologist but I will also do what I can in terms of nutrition to help with future prevention so that I am not one mass of scars. I am 60 years old with Scottish skin burnt as a child by sunburn at a high altitude in Africa.
I only discovered this forum a few days ago, I am now using aloe vera gel topically (elswhere; too scared to touch the scalp until the stitches are out).
After reading the forum I am busy turning my life around in terms of what fats I eat and how much I exercise and heaps of helpful things: I have the Petty Spurge weed growing in my garden and have used its white sap in the past on suspect spots. (warnings to others: wash hands carefully after applying and avoid eyes coming into contact with the sap!) I am going to tell my derm what I am doing so that he knows what's happening to me in full.
Thanks Dan and everyone. |
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Ever hear of Dermascopy Dermatoscopy Dermascope?
