British researchers have sounded a warning about the accuracy of algorithm-based smartphone apps in assessing the risk of skin cancer, with a systematic review finding poor and variable performance that indicates these apps have not yet shown sufficient promise to recommend their use.

The study, published yesterday in the British Medical Journal, looked at six apps, one of which is available for use in Australia and New Zealand and has links to local research institutes and clinics, and which claims high accuracy in detecting the most common forms of skin cancer.