Pre-reading questions:
- Describe a healthy skin.
- What’s the best way to keep your skin healthy?
An image-scanning software, developed at Stanford University, can precisely detect skin cancers as well as dermatologists. This new discovery may be available on your smartphones soon. The team imitated a Google algorithm that can classify images. A database with 130,000 photos of different skin diseases has been organized. The images were gathered from the internet and examined by dermatologists.
The software was tested to identify cancerous and non-cancerous lesions. The app’s capability was compared to that of 21 board-certified dermatologists’. The results were remarkable as the app did as well as the dermatologists. The creators of this app are already working on making it compatible for smartphones. This app will be effective and more affordable than consulting a dermatologist.
Vocabulary:
precisely [adj] – correctly; exactly
imitate [verb] – take as a model
classify [verb] – divide; arrange
database [noun] – a large amount of information stored in a computer system in such a way that it can be easily looked at or changed
dermatologist [noun] – a doctor who studies and treats skin diseases
lesion [noun] – an injury to a person’s body or to an organ inside their body
remarkable [adj]– impressive; extraordinary
Comprehension Questions:
- Where was the software developed?
- How many photos were organized in a database for this app?
- Where were the images gathered?
- How was the app’s capability tested?
- What are the benefits of this application?
Express Your Opinion:
- Nothing can compare to a doctor’s expert opinion.
- Dermatologists would not support this application.
- Based on your previous readings, what are the causes of skin cancer?
- How can one prevent the occurrence of skin cancer?
- Give one activity that can surely damage the skin. Discuss.