Doctors at the University of Michigan Health System have come up with an app that allows users to take images of suspicious moles or other skin lesions and then guides them through a self-examination. The app, which is free and available for iOS, is called UMSkinCheck.

The app also sends automatic reminders that encourages users to monitor changes to their skin over time and offers images for comparison. Standard practice for patients at risk of melanoma is whole-body photography which requires a professional photographer.  However the expense is not always covered by insurance companies and can be inconvenient.  If a mole concerns a user then photos from their handset can be shared with a dermatologist.