In class we learned that there are two types of skin cancer: melanoma and nonmelanoma. Melanoma skin cancer appears to be darker colored. The nonmelanoma skin cancer contains white-ish or pink cells. There are two types of nonmelanoma squamous cell carcinoma in the epidermis layer and basal cell carcinoma in the basal layer. A Pop Sci news article(link to the article provided below) stated that there is a handheld device that can detect melanoma. The laser device uses Raman spectroscopy in order to identify the types of molecular bonds that are in the skin growth. The device relates the laser scan to a database of melanoma cases. If the laser detects melanoma the device lights up green. If no melanoma is detected then it lights up red. This device only helps Physicians who are taking an educated guess on whether the skin growth is melanoma or not without getting a diagnosis through a biopsy. For a person who may be anxious about a possible case of melanoma skin cancer this device could provide some relief. Biopsy results would take days and maybe weeks to get any information back. For the physician it would be another expense for their practice. Also the physician may be hesistant to entirely rely on a technology for a skin cancer diagnosis.
http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2011-01/new-handheld-melanoma-scanner-instantly-identifies-skin-cancers-laser-light
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