New app helps women with self-screening for cancer

Bryanston-based organisation Campaigning for Cancer is launching a free app to help women to conduct self-screening for breast and cervical cancer.

The launch of the MyCancerGuide app coincides with World Cancer Day on February 4.

CEO of Campaigning for Cancer Lauren Pretorius said that as we navigate the fourth industrial revolution, communities should be able to access the necessary tools to help them easily and affordably manage their health.

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

She pointed out that these are two of the top five cancers that affect women in South Africa.

According to the most recent National Cancer Registry, 9 624 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in South Africa in 2017, accounting for 23.11% of all cancers in women in the country. The registry also revealed that cervical cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in all South African women with 6 600 women diagnosed in 2017 and a lifetime risk of one in 40.

“We hope that the MyCancerGuide app will empower women with a guide to completing their monthly breast self-examination and cervical self-observation step by step.”

Pretorius said that early detection of these cancers can yield five-year survival rates of 99% for breast and 92% for cervical cancer. “To assist users and improve early detection, the app provides push notifications to remind them to conduct a monthly self-examination and assess their risks or symptoms of breast and/or cervical cancer, with both spoken and written instructions, which will eventually be available in seven South African languages.”

After conducting the self-exam/observation, users will be asked to complete a questionnaire assessing the outcomes. Depending on the results, the app will then either share information to educate the user on how to change and improve their health behaviour or refer them to the relevant health service.

“We see this as the first step for each woman in her community to become a warrior in the fight against cancer. Start tracking your self-examination today. Sign up for the app. It’s free and it’s for you,” concluded Pretorius.

Details: Visit www.mcgscreening.co.za

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