Study has shown that the regular use of sunscreen can decrease the risk of skin cancer in humans by 50%. Advances in medical technology have resulted in procedures and devices for skin cancer treatment that are both cost-effective and non-invasive. The best treatments are always evolving, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest developments and advances in skin cancer treatment technology. Here’s a brief overview of some of the newest technologies available to treat your skin cancer.
Technological Advancements in Skin Cancer Treatment
- Laser Treatment
Today, there are laser skin cancer treatments, which cannot only improve safety but also deliver better results. The laser’s high-intensity light penetrates deep enough into your body to destroy even deeply embedded tumours without harming surrounding tissue or organs. Plus, since lasers can be focused on very specific areas, they allow much greater precision than radiation treatments do. This new technological advancement is a welcome change from invasive surgery, which involved large incisions that would leave ugly scars. Nowadays, removing skin cancers with a laser can be as simple as pressing a button; patients walk out of their office in minimal time with minimal discomfort (in some cases). With developments like these, there’s never been a better time to choose skin cancer treatment technology over surgical procedures—not to mention that improvements like these make it safer for men, women and children alike.
- 3D imaging
The latest trend in skin cancer treatment is three-dimensional imaging. Although skin cancer is easily detected on a flat screen, 3D imaging helps doctors treat it better by giving them an accurate picture of what’s actually going on inside a patient’s body. It also makes it easier for doctors to map out a surgical plan because they can visualise how far cancer has spread throughout a patient’s body. Skin cancer isn’t just about cutting out visible tumours—it’s about removing any trace of invasive cells, which makes it important to know where cancer might be hiding beforehand.
- Digital Image Analysis
The list of medical technological advances in recent years is extensive, but one that has become increasingly useful for dermatologists is digital image analysis. This technology allows dermatologists to immediately analyse photographs of moles and other skin conditions, which helps prevent misdiagnosis due to skin cancer. In fact, according to a study from researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine, digital image analysis may improve sensitivity for melanoma detection because it enables more detailed comparison between images than what is possible with a trained physician’s unaided eye. Nowhere does that improvement in sensitivity matter more than in places where trained physicians are not present on a regular basis—in developing countries or rural areas without easy access to doctors. After all, when it comes to treating skin cancer early, every minute counts.
- Proton Beam Therapy
Because protons are smaller than X-rays, they create less damage in surrounding tissues. A proton beam can be guided precisely to a tumour with more precision than a CT scan or traditional X-ray machine can provide. This noninvasive technology also allows patients to resume their normal lives more quickly after treatment, because there is less damage to surrounding tissues. Proton beam therapy also has limited side effects for healthy tissue around cancerous tumours, but it still must be used with caution as an overzealous treatment can cause permanent tissue damage in other parts of your body. Proton beam therapy is not widely available yet but medical technological advances are making it easier for doctors to use on a regular basis.
Overall, the technological advancements in medicine are changing lives and the world, as well as the field of medicine itself, showcasing the possibilities that exist in the treatment of cancer. As more funding is provided for such technological treatments, it can be expected that the world of medicine will transform completely in the coming years, allowing treatment to a greater number of people than one could have even imagined!
