6 Incredibly Useful Apps for Cancer Patients

Last updated: 24 June 2021

*Updated 17/01/19. From time to time we'll post an update when we discover links to outdated or inoperative content and services. Since PearlPoint The Cancer Side Effects Helper is no longer active, we've added another great app to help you stay connected!

If you thought your smartphone’s only use during your treatment was accessing Candy Crush in the waiting room, you thought wrong. A new wave of patient-centric apps is helping people just like you to understand their disease better, learn more about side effects, and help make the day-to-day management easier. Here is our pick of the best five, based on reviews, usefulness, and design. Some have been designed by patients and support groups, others by doctors and hospitals, all of them could prove incredibly useful for monitoring and managing your care.

Nothing can replace the care of your clinicians and oncologists - please consult with your doctor before making any changes to your care plan or lifestyle. This selection of apps was chosen because of their potentially useful and supportive benefits and are by no means intended to diagnose or treat cancer.

Pocket Cancer Care Guide

iPhone, free.

Developed by the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, this free app turns your phone into a handy dictaphone so you can record answers from your doctors and nurses; a godsend if you’re having trouble remembering certain facts or simply want to relisten to what was said to make sure everything is clear. The glossary of medical terms will help jargon-bust any tricky conversations you may not have processed at the time, and the calendar helps you schedule your appointments.

Create to Heal

iPhone, free.

Created by The Women Wings Foundation Create to Heal program this free app aims to “gently take you from your head to your heart, where the healing process begins.” Though not a treatment management tool per se, this app’s focus on creativity and stress relief could compliment your care plan nicely². Tested over five years with hundreds of cancer patients, you can expect guided meditations, music, and art that aim to reduce stress and aid the healing process.

CaringBridge

Android, free.

CaringBridge encourages patients to create online health journals that could improve their treatment⁴ and can be shared with friends and family and inspire other patients around the globe. The app furthers their goal by putting everything you need to update your journal, comment on other patients’ diaries and connect with people going through something similar. It also allows you to reach out to family and friends for support and encouragement when the going gets tough.

Reachout: My Support Network

iPhone, free.

This app aims at creating a community/ communities of patients with the same disease. It focuses on several diseases, from cancer to mental health. Chronic disease often leads to depression and feelings of loneliness. Reachout brings together those who face similar situations who get a sense of purpose and positivity from helping others⁵ . Users are able to tap into a community of people just like them. Simply by sharing their own stories, they can gain practical insights and even make new friends.

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