New scanning device available in Ontario pharmacies can help patients detect the disease early
According to data from the Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation, one in six Canadians born in the 1990s will develop the disease sometime during their lifetime.
Despite being one of the more preventable forms of cancer, there are more cases reported each year than breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers combined.
All this means that the Canadian Cancer Society predicts 6,800 Canadians will be diagnosed with melanoma this year, leading to 1,200 deaths.
These are troubling statistics, but it remains the case that quite often this illness can be treated. Early detection is key, which should be much easier these days due to some remarkable advancements in technology. Mississauga, Ontario-based MedX Health Corp’s hand held scanner, SIAscope, is one such example.
The scanner is a non-invasive skin analysis system specifically designed for dermatologists, general practitioners and skin specialists.
Robert von der Porten, director and CEO of MedX explains how SIAscope is a valuable addition to Ontario’s healthcare system. “Skin cancer is the fastest growing cancer globally. Often people ignore moles and lesions until it is quite late in the game. We see our technology as working with dermatologists who can review the images and give an assessment.”
Originally deployed in Norway, Sweden and U.K., SIAscope is now available at a number of Ontario pharmacies where anyone concerned about a skin condition can access the device.
“You don’t have to be a physician to take the scan,” says von der Porten. “Someone from the pharmacy can take the scan then forward that over a secure network to a dermatologist. The feedback is either given to the person’s family physician or nurse practitioner. Within 72 hours the person will know if the need to see a dermatologist or not.”
In a province as vast as Ontario, the device will be especially valuable in more remote areas where access to a dermatologist may be limited.
“In many jurisdictions you may have to wait months to see a dermatologist,” says the MedX head. “If you are in a remote area you might have to wait up to six months. If it’s a serious health concern like cancer you don’t want to wait that long.”
Related stories:
Drug maker slams review body’s rejection of ovarian cancer treatment medication
Delayed access to cancer treatments wastes millions in potential health gains
Despite being one of the more preventable forms of cancer, there are more cases reported each year than breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers combined.
All this means that the Canadian Cancer Society predicts 6,800 Canadians will be diagnosed with melanoma this year, leading to 1,200 deaths.
These are troubling statistics, but it remains the case that quite often this illness can be treated. Early detection is key, which should be much easier these days due to some remarkable advancements in technology. Mississauga, Ontario-based MedX Health Corp’s hand held scanner, SIAscope, is one such example.
The scanner is a non-invasive skin analysis system specifically designed for dermatologists, general practitioners and skin specialists.
Robert von der Porten, director and CEO of MedX explains how SIAscope is a valuable addition to Ontario’s healthcare system. “Skin cancer is the fastest growing cancer globally. Often people ignore moles and lesions until it is quite late in the game. We see our technology as working with dermatologists who can review the images and give an assessment.”
Originally deployed in Norway, Sweden and U.K., SIAscope is now available at a number of Ontario pharmacies where anyone concerned about a skin condition can access the device.
“You don’t have to be a physician to take the scan,” says von der Porten. “Someone from the pharmacy can take the scan then forward that over a secure network to a dermatologist. The feedback is either given to the person’s family physician or nurse practitioner. Within 72 hours the person will know if the need to see a dermatologist or not.”
In a province as vast as Ontario, the device will be especially valuable in more remote areas where access to a dermatologist may be limited.
“In many jurisdictions you may have to wait months to see a dermatologist,” says the MedX head. “If you are in a remote area you might have to wait up to six months. If it’s a serious health concern like cancer you don’t want to wait that long.”
Related stories:
Drug maker slams review body’s rejection of ovarian cancer treatment medication
Delayed access to cancer treatments wastes millions in potential health gains
