Cancer Support App To Support Cancer Patients and Carers
Professor Wendy Chan
According to the World Health Organisation, cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for an estimated 10 million deaths, or 1 in 6 annually, with about 20 million new cases every year.
Cancer is the leading cause of death in Hong Kong with over 38,000 new cases of cancer per year. It is so widespread that a University of Hong Kong expert believes that there may a sufferer in every family.
Professor Wendy Chan, Clinical Psychologist at the HKU’s Department of Clinical Oncology, said because of rising incidence it is important for people to acquire some basic knowledge about cancer, including the diagnosis as well as treatments.
“When a patient is diagnosed with cancer, they don't know what to do,” Professor Chan said. “They may search the internet, but they don't know if the information they find is correct or not, and whether the information can apply to their disease.”
To provide “correct and useful information” about cancer and palliative care, Professor Chan has created the Support + app for patients, families and caregivers, to help them better understand their situation and to deal with the disease and treatments.
She said it is called Support + because they want to give extra support to the patients and carers at home. It contains educational material, including different cancer types, symptom controls, and end of life and palliative care information.
Patients can also record their symptoms on the app which is monitored by nursing staff who will reply if the readings breach certain criteria. One of the aims of the app is to ensure patients have enough information so they can “self-manage” at home.
“We know that many patients have symptoms and will feel worried and anxious, and they may go to the hospital or to the A&E,” Professor Chan said. “But actually the A&E or hospitalisation may not help the patient a lot. If the nurses can give them some advice on the app they can self-manage at home and avoid going to the A&E.”
Professor Daphne Wu
The Support + app also features sections on fitness and nutrition and is aimed at helping patients stay fit and to eat healthily while recovering at home. Professor Daphne Wu, a lecturer and HKU’s School of Biological Sciences, worked with students to prepare and video selected meals for the app.
“If we can improve their nutritional status through some of the recommendations of good quality recipes, Professor Wu said, “hopefully that can help them to improve their nutritional status and also to extend the life expectancy.”
Professor Chan and her colleagues at Queen Mary Hospital are helped by a team volunteers, many of whom are cancer survivors, who show patients and carers how to use the app to improve their lives.
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