Skin Cancer Test

Researchers at University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) have developed a test to diagnose skin cancer. Malignant melanoma is one of the leading causes of cancer related deaths, and to have a test that can pinpoint whether the melanoma is of harm is vital to better prevention and treatment. The researchers are hoping this test will help eliminate misdiangoses and aid in detection of skin cancer. ABC news reported on the story, "Melanoma researcher Dr. Mohammed Kashani-Sabet from UCSF Melanoma Center said the stakes are high. "Melanoma is a deadly form of skin cancer and when it shows up in its later stages, the advanced stages, the treatments that we have are not very effective. So really our best defense against melanoma right now is to catch it early," said Dr. Kashani-Sabet. Now he and his team have developed a test to distinguish malignant melanomas from harmless moles" Within two years the UCSF doctors and researchers are hoping to commercialize the test and promote the widespread use and practice of early detection and proper diagnoses.