The Ovarian Cancer Symptom Diary App allows women to learn more about the disease, answer risk factor questions, including use of hormone replacement and family history of cancer, as well as keeping a daily record of any ovarian cancer symptoms experienced, which include:
- Abdominal pressure, bloating, swelling or fullness
- Loss of appetite or feeling full quickly
- Pelvic/abdominal discomfort or pain
- Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)
Karen Orloff Kaplan, CEO of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance explains:
“The symptoms of ovarian cancer are often mistaken for other, less serious diseases. As a result, women are usually diagnosed when their disease is advanced and the odds of surviving are the lowest. We hope this app will encourage women to see their physicians as soon as possible if they experience symptoms that might indicate ovarian cancer.”
In a video that demonstrates the features of the app, Board President and ovarian cancer survivor Annette Leal Mattern says:
“I know how busy women are, it’s hard to take time for your health when you are working and caring for your family and home. That’s why the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance created a symptom diary app. You can download and use the diary on your phone to record the symptoms of ovarian cancer whenever you feel them.”
Every 37 minutes a women dies from ovarian cancer. The disease is the main cause of gynecologic cancer deaths, and the 5th leading cause of cancer deaths among women. If the disease is diagnosed early, the risk of survival is much greater, although, no reliable early detection test for the disease is available. By being aware of the symptoms, women can know when to seek medical attention. For further information visit http://www.ovariancancer.org.
The app is compatible with most desktop browsers, iPads and smartphones, and can be accessed at here.
Written by Grace Rattue