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Smartphone app on breast cancer awareness [Gulf Times (Qatar)](Gulf Times (Qatar) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) The National Cancer Programme (NCP), a collaboration between Supreme Council of Health, Hamad Medical Corporation and Primary Health Care Corporation has launched a smartphone application -'Monthlies', available for free download on iTunes and Google Store. The new offering is part of the programme's "Be Breast Aware" campaign which will run throughout October to celebrate Breast Awareness Month. Monthlies is the first period tracker app in the world provided in both the English and Arabic language for the sake of reaching a wider audience to raise awareness about breast cancer. According to experts, breast cancer is among the most common form of the disease among women in Qatar, affecting many each year. However, research has shown that early detection of breast cancer offers better, more successful treatment options and so saves thousands of lives each year. NCP took the initiative to create Monthlies, a smartphone application targeting young women to help them become more breast-aware and encourage early detection. The app is mainly designed as a period tracker app, which helps women keep track of their monthly cycle. After every cycle, the application sends notifications with gynaecological and breast advice. Moreover, the app offers a step-by-step guide for being breast aware, including what to look for and how to look it, that is helpful in the process of breast cancer early detection. Ambika Anand, senior consultant breast surgeon at HMC, commented: "A wide-spread misconception is that breast cancer is only common among women over the age of 50. However, women younger than this are presenting with breast cancer. Therefore every woman, regardless of her age, should be aware of her breast's health and be regularly checking for any irregularities for her." "It is important to recognise that the breasts change throughout the monthly cycle, particularly that they become more lumpy during the period, so it is important for women to know how they look and feel throughout the duration of their cycle but especially just after their period. The prompt scheduled within the app reminds women to be breast aware two days after the period," she added. (c) 2014 Gulf Times Newspaper Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info). |