Skin cancer checks now with your smartphone

Suspicious spots or moles can now be checked using a downloaded app on your smartphone. PHOTO/FILE

Suspicious spots or moles can now be checked using a downloaded app on your smartphone.

The digital health app Firstcheck allows people to submit photos of a mole to a skin professional for review with the specialist's opinion returned within 72 hours.

Dr Franz Strydom and Dr Colin Helm from Skinspots skin cancer clinic have added the digital service to complement their in-clinic services.

"This app results in more patients having spots that concern them reviewed in a timely fashion," said Dr Strydom.

Firstcheck co-founder Hayden Laird said the app was developed in New Zealand and was free to download.

"Firstcheck is playing a key role in the early detection and survival rates of skin cancer by offering Kiwis low-cost, quick and convenient consults with New Zealand skin specialists.

"Skin doctors like Dr Strydom recognise that they can make an even greater impact to the health of their communities by making their specialist knowledge available via Firstcheck's digital health platform," he said.

Since its launch in New Zealand in late 2016, and in Australia in early 2017, the Firstcheck app has been downloaded tens of thousands of times.

"It's been great to see so many New Zealanders and Australians embrace Firstcheck as a tool to monitor their skin health and to engage with their local skin specialists," Mr Laird said.

The Firstcheck app is free to download and is available in the Apple and Android app stores.