St John’s Dermatology Institute at Guy’s and St Thomas’ is the UK’s largest referral centre for skin cancer, and has the best equipped skin imaging unit in the UK.
VivaScope, a giant magnifying glass that detects skin cancer swiftly
St John’s Dermatology Institute at Guy’s and St Thomas’ is the UK’s largest referral centre for skin cancer, and has the best-equipped skin imaging unit in the UK.
Only a handful of other centres around the world have comparable research and development capability. A new piece of technology, the VivaScope, is currently being tested there.
It is a giant magnifying glass that can detect skin cancer in seconds. Currently, skin cancer is diagnosed by physical examination and biopsy. Biopsy is a procedurewhere part or all of the spot is removed and sent to a laboratory. It may be done by a doctor or through a referral to a dermatologist or surgeon.
Detection in seconds
In contrast, the VivaScope machine instantly produces images of skin layers up to a depth of two millimetres using a harmless, high-powered laser. The doctor places a small pad on the mole or affected skin, then directs the laser at the area. The resulting image is so detailed that it's effectively a non-invasive biopsy and avoids the need for an invasive biopsy that can leave scars. Scans then highlight abnormality in the cells.
Skin cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the UK. Early detection is crucial as skin cancer can spread quickly unless it's removed. The number of British cases of skin cancer has more than quadrupled in the last 30 years, with melanoma the most deadly type, killing about 2,000 people in the UK annually. Doctors maintain that early detection of skin cancer is vital.
Traditional methods of detecting and treating skin cancer often require multiple visits to the hospital. The VivaScope will deliver an immediate diagnosis, enabling patients to be examined, diagnosed and treated in a single visit, which will reduce both stress and the time it takes to receive treatment. Guy’s and St Thomas’ is the first hospital in Britain to introduce the VivaScope test, which could save hundreds of lives.
Leading the way
Oliver Smith, Director of Strategy, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity, says: ‘Our recent investment in the VivaScope for the St John’s Institute enables it to pursue world-leading research and clinical trials that will greatly advance our understanding of skin melanoma and its treatment.’
The Institute is working with the Guy’s and St Thomas’ Trust’s medical physics department to test the technology within a clinical setting. Once it has been validated for use, it will improve the care of patients attending the centre for skin disorders.
This piece of equipment was bought thanks to donations. Being able to purchase this kind of equipment keeps us at the forefront of medical innovation and truly enhances the care we can offer.
Please note, unfortunately, we are unable to take any telephone calls or process any donations by telephone for the immediate and foreseeable future. You can still donate by credit/debit card and/or make a regular gift by Direct Debit. You can also send a cheque too. Thank you very much for your support. We hugely appreciate it.
Go Online through ourdonation page, make a one-off payment or set up a monthly direct debit.
Or by bank transfer, please contact our Supporter Care team via email info@supportgstt.org.uk and we can provide the relevant details.
If you would like to send a donation by cheque, please make this payable to Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital Charity.
If you can include a covering letter with your contact details as well as reasons for donations and what you would like it to be put towards, we will write to you and let you know when the donation has been received.
Please send the cheque to this address:
Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital Fundraising Team
Fundraising Team
Virginia Woolf Building
22 Kingsway, 2nd Floor
London
Can you claim Gift Aid on my donation?
Your donations are only eligible for Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer and we have a record of your postcode and donation amount. You must also tick the Gift Aid box on our sponsorship forms (Virgin Money Giving / Just Giving) and donation page.
Please note that we are unable to claim Gift Aid on ticket sales, raffle sales, corporate sponsorship, and sale of goods or auction proceeds.
Can I donate to a specific ward/department within the hospital?
If you would like to help a specific ward or department, we will do our best to find the most appropriate fund for your donation to go towards.
Please note that once a donation has been allocated to a specific fund, we are unable to change this at a later date.
Contact us via email at info@supportgstt.org.uk. Please note that once a donation has been allocated to a specific fund, we are unable to change this at a later date.
If you would like to discuss this more over the phone and find out how we can help, please email our Supporter Care Team at info@supportgstt.org.uk.
What is your charity number?
Guy's and St Thomas' Charity. Registered Charity No. 1160316.
Company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No. 9341980.
Evelina London Children's Hospital is part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.
What happens to my personal details?
All the personal information about our supporters we collect is processed and stored in accordance with GDPR 2018, and all other applicable data protection laws and regulations. This includes, but is not limited to, the Privacy and Electronic Communication Regulations (PECR).
If you need a new tin, collection bucket or security seal sticker, then please let us know by contacting us via email at info@supportgstt.org.uk and we can send a replacement out to you. Please note, we currently have limited stock on some items, and there may be some delays with deliveries.
How can I volunteer?
Fundraising volunteers are vital to our work at Guy's and St Thomas’ Hospital Charity. You can volunteer with us on events, awareness days, in general or even work with the Fundraising Team.
All our opportunities support our fundraising work and activities, we do not organise volunteering within the hospital. If this is what you are interested in please visit the Guy’s and St Thomas' volunteering page.
Policy for returning donations
We work hard to ensure you have the best supporter journey when you make a donation. Unfortunately, under charity law (The Charities Act 2011) we are unable to refund donations, other than in specific circumstances.
If you believe that a donation you have made should be refunded, then please email info@supportgstt.org.uk and we can advise on what we can do.
Well done Tony, you are a truely amazing little soul!
Tony! What an inspiration you are, so young, so brave and doing incredible things. Keep going and well done for absolutely smashing your target; it is going to an amazing cause and we love watching your journey. You can do it! X x
Dear Tony, what a beautiful, special, precious little boy you are. You are very brave and strong. You are an inspiration to us all. I hope your legs feel good and help you take on your challenge. You can do it!!👍🥰 I've donated because you made me so proud. Lots of love always Jude xxx
You are such an amazing superhero! Keep up the wonderful things you are doing!😀👍🚑🏃
Well done Tony on your 10km walk. We followed your progress. You are a brave little boy. We wish you well! Love xx
You are amazing and an inspiration to everyone - there's nothing you can't do or achieve in this life! Thank you so much
Caroline and Sarah, at The Cardiology Kids launch party in the park
George with his family
Thank you for everything you are doing. So proud of our NHS - heroes don’t all wear capes! Thank you for everything you do for us all and keep as safe as you can all of you. xx
You are all heroes and should be proud of yourselves as we are of you. No words of thanks can ever express the debt of gratitude.
You have looked after my daughter with such care, too which I am eternally grateful. Thank you.
I had my cancer treatment there, undoubtedly saved my life. Thank you.
I was born at Guy's hospital in 1974, and was treated in St Thomas' in 2003, where I was seriously ill for 13 weeks. Thank you for not only giving me life, but saving it too! X
Guy's and St Thomas' have looked after me so well over many years. Thank you for all those years and for everything you are doing in an unimaginably difficult time. Thinking of you and your families at this time. x
You saved my life when I had cancer. Thank you for then and thank you for now. x
The NHS saved my wife’s life 3 times. We love the nurses, doctors, specialists, secretaries - everyone. You are heroes. Sending hope and love.
You are all amazing and will be remembered in history. Stay strong.
Thank you isn’t enough, so a thousand times more.
You are all amazing and do an incredible job. Filled with gratitude and heartfelt thanks.
You are all phenomenal. Thank you so much.
Wishing you well during this crisis. You are all heroes and deserve the support of the whole nation.
From one nurse to all the others all over the world fighting Covid-19 and all the health professionals, I know this word and term is overused but this time it is a real meaning in the truest form of the word: You are all LEGENDS!
How can we ever repay you for what you are doing for us? Thinking of you all. The NHS means everything. Make sure you're looking after your own wellbeing as much as possible. Take care x
You are all genuine heroes. Each and every one of you!
You are all wonderful, heroic people. You save lives every day and you really, really make a difference. We salute you and send big hugs to keep you going. xx