DIY app to catch cancer early

ANOTHER tool to help in the fight against breast and cervical cancers was launched this week.

Campaigning for Cancer, a patient organisation that focuses on advocacy and access to treatment for cancer patients, has developed the free My Cancer Guide app to assist women in self-screening for breast and cervical cancers.

Campaigning for Cancer CEO Lauren Pretorius said the app aims to provide people with access to the necessary tools to help them to easily manage their health.

“We chose a web-based app solution because 20 to 22 million people in South Africa use a smartphone; that’s one-third of the country’s population,” said Pretorius.

She said the My Cancer Guide app was not only for those who had been diagnosed, but for everyone.

“We are negotiating to have the app zero-rated, meaning there will be no data usage so that people will have access to the data at no cost.

“So far we have received good reports. Patients have told us that this app will make people’s lives easier because often people do not know how to self-examine.

“The features of the app are a culmination of 10 years of listening to women, patients and health promoters about what they find challenging in encouraging women to do their monthly self-examination and symptom checks,” said Pretorius.

She said the most important feature of the My Cancer Guide app is that every completed self-examination is consolidated into a report which can be downloaded and shared with a doctor or clinic nurse, because being diagnosed very early will save a life.

Campaigning for Cancer launched the app, sponsored by Pfizer South Africa, to highlight SA’s contribution to World Cancer Day activities today.

Sign up for the app at www. mcgscreening.co.za/