Feasibility Study of a Smartphone Application for Detecting Skin Cancers in People With Albinism

Autor: Daudi Mavura, Nazik Hammad, Julius Mwaiselage, Achille Manirakiza, John R. Ngowi, Sarah K. Nyagabona, Timothy P. Hanna, T. Maniragaba, Sandra Urusaro, Nazima Dharsee, Fidel Rubagumya, Diane A Ndoli, Ahuka N. Longombe, Doriane Sabushimike
Rok vydání: 2020
Předmět:
Zdroj: JCO Global Oncology
ISSN: 2687-8941
DOI: 10.1200/go.20.00264
Popis: PURPOSE Albinism affects some facets of the eye’s function and coloration, as well as hair and skin color. The prevalence of albinism is estimated to be one in 2,000-5,000 people in sub-Saharan Africa and one in 270 in Tanzania. People in Tanzania with albinism experience sociocultural and economic disparities. Because of stigma related to albinism, they present to hospitals with advanced disease, including skin cancers. Mobile health (mHealth) can help to bridge some of the gaps in detection and treatment of skin cancers affecting this population. METHODS We assessed the feasibility of using a mobile application (app) for detection of skin cancers among people with albinism. The study was approved by the Ocean Road Cancer Institute institutional review board. Data, including pictures of the lesions, were collected using a mobile smartphone and submitted to expert reviewers. Expert reviewers’ diagnosis options were benign, malignant, or unevaluable. RESULTS A total of 77 lesions from different body locations of 69 participants were captured by the NgoziYangu mobile app. Sixty-two lesions (81%) were considered malignant via the app and referred for biopsy and histologic diagnosis. Of those referred, 55 lesions (89%) were biopsied, and 47 lesions (85%) were confirmed as skin malignancies, whereas eight (15%) were benign. CONCLUSION With an increasing Internet coverage in Africa, there is potential for smartphone apps to improve health care delivery channels. It is important that mobile apps like NgoziYangu be explored to reduce diagnostic delay and improve the accuracy of detection of skin cancer, especially in stigmatized groups.
Databáze: OpenAIRE