A mother, who was previously addicted to sunbeds, was diagnosed with skin cancer after a phone app alerted her to a dangerous mole.
Natalie Killian, 39, from Cannock, West Midlands, became worried about her risk of skin cancer because of her tanning habits, which would see her use a sunbed five times a week.
She downloaded the SkinVision phone app, which then warned her to seek out a doctor’s opinion on a small mole – but her first GP dismissed her concerns.
However, the app continued to send warnings and a second GP referred her to a specialist where she was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma.
Mrs Killian underwent surgery to remove the 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.
Speaking about her ordeal for the first time, she said: ‘I will definitely be using the app in the future.
Natalie Killian, 39, from Cannock, West Midlands, became worried about her risk of skin cancer because of her previous tanning habits
‘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.’
Mrs Killian added: ‘Back in my early twenties 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.’
Kicking the habit
The graphic designer kicked the habit ten years ago after becoming more aware of the risks involved with using sunbeds.
But she remained conscious that she should keep track of any changes to her skin.
Mrs Killian 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.
The SkinVision phone app then warned her to seek out a doctor’s opinion on the mole – but her first GP dismissed her concerns (pictured with her husband Jason, 43 and son, Max, four)
Mrs Killian added: ‘Back in my early twenties I was using sunbeds a lot, Monday to Friday I would go on my lunch break, for the maximum time I could’
‘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.’
She decided to track her moles more seriously when she became pregnant four years ago, but didn’t come across the SkinVision app until 2014.
A small pink lesion
Mrs Killian, who lives with husband Jason, 43 and son, Max, four, first noticed a small pink lesion on her chest, early last year.
She took a picture using the app which detects if the mole is a low, medium or high risk.
However in January this year, she noticed that the mole in question had changed in shape and height.
After tracking its progress, she was sent a message via the app, telling her that the mole was medium-risk and that she should monitor it.
‘Nothing to worry about’
For peace of mind, Mrs Killian visited her GP, who reassured her that there was nothing to worry about.
When she received further emails from the app which warned her that she should get the mole checked, she decided to seek a second opinion.
She said: ‘It started out as a little pink spot but it started to change shape and it became itchy.
However, the app continued to send warnings and a second GP referred her to a specialist where she was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma (the app detects if the mole is a low, medium or high risk)
Mrs Killian underwent surgery to remove the 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
‘I had been sent quite a few messages from the app telling me I should keep an eye on things but when the mole become high-risk, I knew I needed a second opinion.
‘I knew something wasn’t right.’
Urgent referral
After switching to another GP, Mrs Killian was given an urgent referral and diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma.
The common form of skin appears on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, head and neck.
Mrs Killian said: ‘I was really shocked by the diagnoses because you never think it’s going to happen to you.
‘My husband Jason, has been so supportive and kept me positive when I was worried about the worst case scenario.’
What do the experts say?
Dr Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson, told MailOnline that such apps should be treated with caution.
She said: ‘Increased use of smart phones has resulted in a large number of mobile health applications that are available to download at the press of a button.
‘Many doctors, however, still feel that many of these need to be treated with caution.
‘Whilst they have potential usefulness for education, patient risk assessment and monitoring of moles, caution should be exercised.
‘At this point in time, there is no substitute for a full skin examination by a consultant dermatologist.’