Many poets have compared the mole on the back of a loved one to the sky. It’s a good metaphor, no doubt, but what neither of them consider is that the two concepts can be related. So much so that A Software is used Astronomy Star tracking has become a great ally for skin cancer detection.

is approx MoleGazerThe program is a collaboration between scientists at the University of Southampton and Oxford University Hospital. Typical astronomical instruments are used Detecting changes in the lunar evolution of patients at risk of skin cancer, like their stars.

As the study authors explain in a press release, photos of carpets on skin were tracked in the same way as images of the sky. thus, The evolutionary patterns of these resulting spots may provide clues to their imminent malignancy. This is not the first time that astronomical instruments have been used to diagnose cancer. But each new program is even better than the previous one.

Astronomy and oncology, what do they have in common?

The answer to this question is obviously simple: any. But somehow there are commonalities between these two industries, so that would be the wrong answer.

The first proceedings were convened Light-based oncologists, biomedical doctors and astrophysicists. This is useful for detecting various astronomical objects. For example, exoplanets can be detected by frequent fluctuations in the brightness of their host star.

You can also get very useful information Observing the behavior of light as it passes through the clouds of gas and dust so common in the universe. And all this is very useful in cancer research.

For example, it has been found that early stage breast tumors are often accompanied by the presence of small deposits of calcium in the breast. These are the initial differences that should be revealed. However, it can be used Typical astronomical instruments which analyze the change in wavelength of a light beam as it passes through an object. This object can be a chest or found in the sky.

In addition, a treatment involving the use of a light-activated anti-tumor drug coupled with gold nanoparticles is being developed. So the latter It further enhances the effect when heated, as well as in the presence of light.

This treatment, which also uses the tools of astronomy, It has been used experimentally against skin cancer. And that exact type of cancer can now be diagnosed with software originally designed for the stars.

Moles that turn into stars to reveal skin cancer

People at risk of skin cancer usually have photos showing all their moles. They are regularly checked by a dermatologist for suspicious changes.

But it takes time, and besides, the work of qualified personnel is not always quickly available. So while these doctors are still needed, An early survey funded by Astronomy can be done.

With MoleGazer, these photos are checked for suspicious changes, no matter how small. When it comes to stars Even the smallest change can be a sign of something big. For this reason, this highly sensitive software is currently working well.

Although everything is in the initial stage. However, the authors of the project looked to the future. And it is that, as they explained at a session of the UK National Astronomical Conference, their next step will be “Map How Benign Moles Become Melanoma.”

So they can help “get the earliest diagnosis, Because early identification is the key to better outcomes.” Undoubtedly, the result of combining astronomy and oncology is amazing. I hope they have more soon.

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