Health security

New selfie app can spot the early signs of pancreatic cancer

A new selfie app can tell you your risk of getting pancreatic cancer. 

With few detectable symptoms, pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly. Patients have a nine percent chance of surviving five years. 

Now, researchers at the University of Washington have devised a method to spot the only concrete sign: yellowing of the eyes.  

BiliScreen uses a smartphone camera to detect increased levels of bilirubin (a yellow substance found in bile) in the white part of your eye - even if you can't see it in a mirror. 

Currently, the standard method to measure bilirubin levels is a blood test, but it is not routinely offered and can be costly.