Patients are bringing up skin cancer apps more often. A Dutch randomized trial, presented at European Association of Dermato-Oncology (EADO) Congress 2026, found that free access to one such app didn't improve melanoma or skin cancer detection over 12 months, though it did lead to more visits for benign lesions.
1. Inside the SPOT Trial
Researchers invited roughly 226,000 insured adults to participate. Just over 19,000 agreed, and were randomly split between a year of free app access and no access at all. Everyone, regardless of group, was told to see a general practitioner about any lesion that concerned them. The trial was funded by SkinVision, the app's maker; the researchers reported no other financial ties.
2. No Cancer Bump
Access to the app didn't improve cancer detection over the first year. Melanoma rates were nearly identical between groups, 0.26% vs 0.31% (P =.68), as was overall skin cancer, 2.66% vs 2.27% (P =.10), and premalignant lesions, 6.9% vs 6.3% (P =.23). What did change was benign lesion visits, which rose from 2.6% to 3.9% in app users (P <.001), adding clinical workload without a corresponding diagnostic gain.
3. Reading Between the Lines
Control patients may have already been motivated to see a doctor on their own, which would narrow any gap the app might otherwise have shown. Trial participants overall were also diagnosed at much higher rates than people who declined to join, hinting the study population wasn't fully representative. With cancer case numbers still small, this isn't a final verdict on the app.
4. Where Apps Could Still Help
Routine skin screening isn't practical in most health systems, and the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) hasn't found enough evidence to recommend it, a gap AI apps aim to fill. The tradeoff cuts both ways, risking unnecessary visits or missed cancers. The tested app rates smartphone photos as low, medium, or high risk and connects users to tele-dermatology. It's been covered by Dutch insurers since 2019, though uptake has stayed low.
5. Triage, Not Diagnosis
Clinicians asked whether these tools fit better with patients or providers. Researchers see more promise as a triage aid, helping worried patients decide if a visit is needed rather than replacing clinical judgment. In a small pilot, half of patients with a low risk score said they'd have skipped their doctor visit; a follow-up study is now tracking what they actually do.
BOTTOM LINE
Over 12 months, patient-facing skin apps didn't improve cancer detection, but they did increase visits for benign lesions. The trial's second phase, giving both groups app access and following them for two more years, should offer a clearer read on long-term impact. For now, consider positioning these tools as a triage aid rather than a diagnostic one.
This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.