DermAlert® FAQ's
- When I try to run DermAlert® with Microsoft Vista&trade I either get an error message or nothing happens?
- What kind of camera do I have to use to make the photographs?
- How does the software find cancer?
- Do I make the photographs by myself?
- How do I make sure the camera is always in the right position and distance to make a good photograph?
- What if I do not want photographs of my whole body? What if I am interested in just a few specific moles?
- How often do I have to make the photographs?
- My sideways photographs look distorted when I print a template?
- How do I explain changes I see to my doctor?
- Can I learn more about how to use the system while I am waiting to take my second set of images?
- How was DermAlert® developed?
When trying to run DermAlert® with Microsoft Vista&trade I get an error message or nothing happens?
You must install and run the program as an Administrator for Vista to allow the program to run. This can be done by first clicking on the Start button and then seleceting the Dermalert software group. Right-click on the Dermalert shortcut and select Run as Administrator...
What kind of camera do I have to use to make the photographs?
A digital camera with a resolution of 3 or more megapixels is sufficient. You should make sure that the camera has a built in flash for illumination. The camera must have a standard LCD display screen viewfinder.
How does the software find cancer?
It does not. The software allows a very efficient way to compare baseline and follow-up photographs. By examining the computer display you can easily identify changes on the skin. These include new and growing pigmented moles which may be skin cancer precursors. Only your physician can diagnose cancerous lesions, but with DermAlert you can help your physician find important changes early enough to treat them.
Do I make the photographs by myself?
Usually not. If you are making photographs of your entire body you will need a partner to help.
How do I make sure the camera is always in the right position and distance to make a good photograph?
The software makes this easy for you. First, it provides a protocol guide describing exactly how to make the images. Second, it will allow you to print a transparent template which guides you in making the photograph. Finally, the software will automatically correct small errors in camera distance.
What if I do not want photographs of my whole body? What if I am interested in just a few specific moles?
No problem. The software allows you to create your own custom set of image protocols. You can image as little or as much of your skin as you want.
How often do I have to make the photographs?
One of the great things about DermAlert® is that you can make images as frequently as you like...at no added cost. Typically, however, people at high risk begin by making image sets once a quarter until they begin to get a feeling for how frequently changes are occurring in their moles.
My sideways photographs are distorted when I print a template?
The template can appear distorted if you rotate the image before saving it to your computer. You should not alter the picture you save from your camera. You can rotate the image using the DermAlert® software to view it in a more natural way, but always leave the photograph in a native state when saving from the camera.
How do I explain changes I see to my doctor?
There are several easy ways to do this. The software enables you to print annotated pictures of your changes, which you can show the physician. The software also allows you to print a report describing the changes. And, as well, it is possible to take the images and DermAlert® viewing software to your doctor’s office to show the changes.
Can I learn more about how to use the system while I am waiting to take my second set of images?
Yes. The software is fully operable using tutorial images provided on the CD. There is also a description of each image set and an annotated guide to changes in the images so that you can learn how to look for changes.
DermAlert® was developed over a period of five years in a series of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants funded by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD.