Mobile Health Competition Launched To Develop Mobile Apps To Help Teen Cancer Patients

Main Category: IT / Internet / E-mail
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 07 Dec 2011 - 1:00 PST

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Teenagers with cancer often report feelings of isolation, bitterness, confusion, pain, and fear as they struggle through a life-threatening disease before their lives have taken full shape.

Despite these very real challenges, many teens with cancer find their needs unmet. A 2009 study out of Sydney reported that most teens with cancer have an average of 15 unmet needs, which range from basic failings in provided care to unaddressed psychological distress.

"CanTeen's own research shows that the needs of young people who have, or have had cancer, often go unmet. Information, emotional and psychological issues and relationship support are some of the most significant needs that are not met in a timely or appropriate way for these young people."
Claire Treadgold - National Programs and Services Manager, Can Teen Australia

eyeforpharma believes that the pharma industry must pay more attention to patient needs across the board, and that teen cancer patients are a great place to start. To this end, the organization is hosting its first annual Mobile Health Competition. The competition aims to highlight new and exciting mobile apps that help teen cancer patients better manage their conditions and improve their lives.

A 'Global Superpanel' loaded with teenage cancer survivors will choose the winning idea.

"Young cancer patients have a lot to say as well as questions to ask, but struggle to find quality information sources where they can express this.  It is even harder to find an innovative platform to visit. I believe a mobile app created exclusively for teenage cancer patients would make their quest for information not just desirable, but also entertaining. As such, the possibilities of this competition are really exciting."
Sarūnas Narbutas, 23, living with Chronic Mielogenous Leukemia, board member of ECPC

The Mobile Health Competition is open to people working for pharmaceutical companies, as well as advertising agencies, healthcare organizations, patients themselves and the general public. The winner will receive $5,000 to donate to a cancer charity of their choice, plus the opportunity to work with one of eyeforpharma's partners to bring the idea to fruition. The Teenager Cancer Trust, patientslikeme, LIVESTRONG Young Adult Alliance, and a host of other charitable, patient, and mobile specialist companies have partnered with eyeforpharma for the competition.

Simon Davies, Chief Executive of Teenage Cancer Trust said:

"Teenage Cancer Trust is all about innovation and finding new ways of providing the best possible care, support and information for young people with cancer.  We're very excited about how digital channels are opening up a whole new world for the young people we support.  We look forward to seeing how entrants can harness the potential of mobile phones for their benefit." To learn more or to submit an idea, visit the Mobile Health Competition website (http://www.mobilehealthcomp.com ). The closing date for submissions is January 3, 2012.

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