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HEALTH IT CANCER RESOURCE GUIDE
eHealth Initiative (eHI) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to drive improvement in the quality, safety, and efficiency of healthcare through information and technology. We believe that advances in medical technology, such as electronic health records, patient portals, mobile health applications, and telemedicine, have the potential to fundamentally transform healthcare for patients. To this end, eHealth Initiative is dedicated to identifying, researching, and sharing innovative uses of health information technology with healthcare providers, hospitals and health systems, insurance companies, patients, and other members of the healthcare system at large. In 2012, eHI brought together leading experts on health IT and cancer care as a National Council on Cancer and Technology. The group met frequently to identify, discuss, share, and learn about the ways health IT can be used to improve cancer care. The Council created the following guide to the types of tools and technologies that patients and their families, caregivers, and support networks can use to make understanding, treating, and coping with cancer a little bit easier. While not an exhaustive list of every tool out there, we feel that this guide provides a strong overview of the kinds of technology resources that are currently available. The guide is divided into five categories of tools:
Tools for Decision Making: Decision-making is often one of the most difficult aspects of cancer care. Multiple treatment and therapeutic options are typically available for a particular cancer, and preventative measures, such as self-examination, can raise questions about whether an individual should consult with their doctor. Resources for decision-making support patients in choosing the options most relevant to their individual care needs. Common decision-making resources include tools for risk assessment, self-examination and cancer prevention, identifying clinical trials, and selecting among treatment alternatives.
Tools for Education: Cancer is a highly complex disease, with causes that may not be readily apparent to most individuals. Tools for education support patients in learning about and understanding the underlying causes of cancer and its treatments. These tools offer glossaries, lists of common questions and answers, cancer facts, and links to other resources or content.
Tools for Information and Treatment Management: Once a patient begins treatment, the combined physical, emotional, and psychological effects can make coping with cancer almost impossible. Managing these effects, and keeping track of medications, appointments, test results, and other aspects of cancer care can be a tremendous undertaking. Tools for information and treatment management help patients input, store, and track personal information related to treatment.
Tools for Social Support: Not only is cancer a particularly frightening diagnosis, the symptoms and side effects of treatment can be debilitating. Tools for social support connect patients with family, friends, and others struggling with cancer to lend assistance during treatment, alleviate fears, and/or provide words of support and encouragement.
Tools for Lifestyle Management: Though there is no definitive way to prevent developing cancer, certain lifestyle choice can increase your risk. Tools for lifestyle management can help patients make healthy decisions that can prevent cancer, such as losing weight, exercising, or quitting smoking.
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Tools For Decision Making
CollabRx Therapy Finder - Melanoma, Colorectal, Lung
Type of Tool: Web Application
Organization: CollabRx
URL: http://therapy.collabrx.com/melanoma; http://therapy.collabrx.com/colorectal; http://therapy.collabrx.com/lung
CollabRX offers decision making tools for lung cancer, melanoma, or colorectal cancer. Users can input information about their tumor, including molecular characteristics, stage, treatment history, and sites of metastasis to receive information about therapies or trials that may be effective for their particular cancer subtype.
Survivorship Care Plan Builder 4.0
Type of Tool: Software
Organization: Journey Forward
URL: http://journeyforward.org/professionals/survivorship-care-plan-builder
Journeyforward.org deals with the need for cancer survivors and their doctors to work as a team after treatment comes to an end by offering tools and resources for survivorship. The Care Plan Builder is a software program designed for healthcare providers that helps them develop survivorship care plans to share with their patients.
Passport for Care
Type of Tool: Web Application/Clinical Decision Support
Organization: Baylor College of Medicine
URL: http://txch.org/for-professionals/passport-for-care/; https://www.passportforcare.org/
Passport for Care is a tool designed to help providers care for survivors of childhood cancer. Oncologists can enter a survivor's basic medical history, including type of cancer and treatment given. The program then generates individualized health care recommendations for the long-term survivor based on the most up-to-date Children's Oncology Group (COG) survivorship guidelines for screenings and follow-up care. The tool is available to more than 220 Children's Oncology Group institutions. A patient portal is currently in development. For more information, please visit: http://jop.ascopubs.org/content/5/3/110.full
UMSkinCheck
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: University of Michigan
URL: http://www.cancer.med.umich.edu/news/skin-cancer-mobile-app-2012.shtml
UMSkinCheck allows users to create a photographic baseline of their skin and suspicious moles or other lesions, walking users step-by-step through a skin self-exam. The app sends automatic reminders so users can monitor changes in skin lesions over time, and provides pictures of various types of skin cancers for comparison. Also includes a risk calculator that allows users to input their personal data to calculate their individual risk for skin cancer.
CancerTrials App
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: MedTrust Online/GlaxoSmithKline
URL: http://medtrust-online.com/cancer-trials-app
Users can search for information about clinical trials for 12 cancer types by gender, age, trial status, phase, study type and more. Location-based features map results to the user's location.
Clinical Research Trials
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: iHealth Ventures, LLC
URL: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/clinical-research-trials/id511192008?mt=8
Searches federal and privately supported clinical trials conducted in the United States and around the world. Obtains information including a trial's purpose, who may participate, locations, and phone numbers for more details.
N-of-One
Type of Tool:Personal Health Consulting
Organization: N-of-One
URL: http://www.n-of-one.com/
N-of-One links precise data on the molecular profile of a patient's tumor with the latest tools, knowledge, and therapeutic approaches to treatment in a single integrated platform. N-of-One generates reports that help physicians and patients identify optimal diagnostic and treatment strategies. Reports include:
- Diagnostic Strategy Roadmap - personalized report that identifies the key relevant biomarkers to be evaluated in each patient's specific tumor type, based on the latest molecular oncology research and on targeted treatments available for those biomarker alterations
- Treatment Strategy Roadmap - identifies treatment options that target altered biomarkers in a patient's molecular diagnostic tumor profile.
- Clinical Trial Matching
Handyscope
Type of Tool: Mobile Phone Peripheral Device/App
Organization: FotoFinder Systems, Inc.
URL: http://www.handyscope.net/
The Handyscope is a small device for providers that can attach to a mobile phone to convert it into a dermatoscope for capturing and saving images of moles and other skin lesions. Features include an on-screen ruler, photo sorting by date/patient, and photo tagging with patient data/comments.
NCITrials@NIH
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: MMG, Inc.
URL: http://bethesdatrials.cancer.gov/app/
NCITrials@NIH enables oncologists, patients, and families to easily identify and share cancer clinical trial information. The app directly and securely links to the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Center for Cancer Research (CCR) clinical trial database and provides details about studies being conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
Electronic Preventative Services Selector
Type of Tool: Web/Mobile Application
Organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
URL: http://epss.ahrq.gov/PDA/index.jsp
The electronic preventative services selector is a tool designed primarily for providers that identifies clinical preventive services for patients based on US Preventive Services Task Force recommendations. Users can search based on a patient's parameters.
Ask Dory
Type of Tool: Web Application
Organization: TrialX
URL: http://dory.trialx.com/ask/
Personalized clinical trial locator. Users can enter a condition, their location, and preferences for the type of trial they would like to participate in to narrow down the number of available trials. Ask Dory can also connect users with the trial's researchers.
My Cancer Genome
Type of Tool: Web Application
Organization: Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
URL: http://www.mycancergenome.org/
Provides information and resources from published studies for different cancer types and associated genetic mutations and their variants. Can also link users to clinical trials investigating particular cancers and genotypes.
DoctorMole
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: DoctorMole (Independent Developer)
URL: http://www.doctormole.com/
Uses "augmented reality" to analyze suspicious moles. Users take a photo of their mole and the app analyzes the image using the ABCDE (Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter and Evolution) approach to determine risk of skin cancer. Images are stored in an archive to help users compare their moles over time.
LIVESTRONG Care Plan
Type of Tool: Web Application
Organization: LIVESTRONG
URL: http://www.livestrongcareplan.org/
A "survivorship care plan" that is individualized based on answers to a brief questionnaire. Provides patients with information related to potential late effects of treatment, their symptoms and treatment, recommendations for cancer screening; psychosocial effects, financial issues, recommendations for a healthy lifestyle, genetic counseling, effective prevention options, referrals for follow-up care and a list of support resources.
About Herbs
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
URL: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/about-herbs/id554267162?mt=8
About Herbs is a comprehensive resource for integrative and complementary medicine. It provides a searchable index of herbs, botanicals, and other alternative treatments with information about purported uses, adverse effects, and known drug interactions drawn from scientific research studies. Information can be presented in formats designed for consumers or healthcare professionals.
MelApp
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: Health Discovery Corporation
URL: http://www.melapp.net/
Users can take a picture of their skin lesions and moles with their smartphone camera and receive a risk analysis for melanoma. MelApp can refer users to nearby physicians for proper medical follow up using the smartphone's GPS feature. Pictures can be stored and reviewed for changes over time.
Fertile Hope
Type of Tool: Web Application
Organization: Fertile Hope
URL #1: http://www.fertilehope.org/tool-bar/options-calculator.cfm
URL #2: http://www.fertilehope.org/tool-bar/risk-calculator.cfm
Fertile Hope offers two tools related to reproductive information and support for cancer patients. The Risk Calculator provides users with a reproductive side effects risk assessment based on the type of cancer the user has or their treatment regimen. The Options Calculator allows users to input information about their treatment to receive information about their options for parenthood/fertility following treatment.
Cancer Clinical Trials
Type of Tool: Web Application
Organization: Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups
URL: http://www.cancertrialshelp.org/cancer-trial-search/
Clinical trials locator based on location, gender, race/ethnicity, type of cancer, and other user-inputted factors.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Prediction Tools
Type of Tool: Web Application
Organization: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
URL: http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/prediction-tools
A series of predictive tools to help users estimate their chance of cancer recurring, the extent that cancer has metastasized, long-term survival, developing cancer, and more based on their type of cancer.
Clinical Trials Listing
Type of Tool: Web Application
Organization: EmergingMed
URL: https://www.emergingmed.com/
Patients can search for clinical trials according to type of cancer and trial, as well as create a profile to find specific trials matched to the information included.
Healarium
Type of Tool: Technology Platform/Web & Mobile Application
Organization Healarium
URL: http://www.healarium.com/
Healarium is a technology platform designed for healthcare providers and payers implementing health promotion, wellness and chronic condition management programs. The configurable platform supports patient engagement through personal health information recording and tracking, care plans, education, challenges, social networks, and systems for positive reinforcement for healthy behavior change. Mobile and web components are available to keep patients connected to the platform.
HealthTap
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization HealthTap
URL: https://www.healthtap.com/
HealthTap is a mobile platform for patients to request and receive personalized advice from healthcare professionals. Users can post questions which a network of providers read and respond to. HealthTap also provides a quality-ranked directory of local doctors and functionalities for scheduling appointments.
Tools for Education
MyBiopsy.org
Type of Tool: Informational Website
Organization: College of American Pathologists
URL: http://www.cap.org/apps/microsites/MyBiopsy/index.html
Visitors to MyBiopsy.org can find accurate and credible information on more than 40 of the most common cancers and cancer-related conditions, including those affecting the breast, lungs, colon, prostate, and skin. Each page on www.MyBiopsy.org has been developed by a pathologist, and includes:
- Answers to questions about a specific type of cancer
- A list of available treatment options
- Questions patients should ask their doctors
- A glossary of key terms
- Pictures of normal and diseased tissues and cells
AYA (Adolescent and Young Adult) Healthy Survivorship
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: Healthy Survivorship
URL: http://www.healthysurvivorship.org/
AYA Healthy Survivorship is an interactive application for cancer survivors to assess health habits and general sense of well-being. The app offers personalized tips for being more active, eating better and living a longer, healthier life. It features a healthy survivorship assessment tool, information on survivorship screening and late effects, a survivorship plan, a list of tools and resources, and an online community.
Pocket Care Cancer Guide
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS)
URL: http://www.canceradvocacy.org/resources/pocket-care-guide/
The Pocket Care Cancer Guide is an application that patients can use to quickly and easily build lists of practical questions to guide conversations with their provider. The app can record and playback a doctor's answers, includes an extensive glossary, and can link appointments to a patient's personal calendar.
Asian and Pacific Islander Cancer Education Materials Web Tool
Type of Tool: Web Application
Organization: ACS and Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness, Research and Training (AANCART)
URL: http://www.cancer.org/apicem/default
The APICEM Web tool offers users a place to search for patient-oriented cancer education materials in Asian or Pacific Islander Languages. The site serves as a resource center for selected Asian or Pacific Islander language materials created by reputable organizations.
Miniatlas Apps
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: Ec-europe
URL: http://apps.ec-europe.com/
The Miniatlas Apps series is a set of educational applications designed to help providers communicate with and inform patients about a variety of conditions, including colon cancer, lung cancer, and oncology.
Avva Ask
Type of Tool: Web Application/mobile application
Organization: Avva Health Inc.
URL: http://www.avvahealth.com
App that helps breast cancer patients prepare for important upcoming visits with physicians. Helps users create a list of questions for their doctor by providing personalized suggestions. During a visit, saves typed notes to questions or recorded audio of the conversation.
DrawMD
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: UrologyMatch
URL: http://www.drawmd.com/
DrawMD enhances doctor-patient communication by offering a visual mode of explaining the complex issues surrounding the care of surgical patients. In order to improve patient understanding of medical problems, drawMD utilizes the iPad's unique interface to allow providers to sketch, stamp, or type directly on detailed anatomic images to explain procedures to their patients.
Re-Mission
Type of Tool: Video Game
Organization: HopeLabs
URL: http://www.re-mission.net/
Users play as a nanobot that travels inside the body of cancer patients, battling the disease and treatment side-effects. To power the nanobot, the player must have her take essential components of treatment regimens (such as antiemetics, stool softeners, antibiotics, healthy food).
Breast Cancer: Beyond the Shock
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: National Breast Cancer Foundation
URL: http://beyondtheshock.com/mobile
The mobile platform contains a series of seven video chapters about breast cancer that explain its types and stages, how it grows, how it is diagnosed, and how it is treated. It also contains a social knowledgebase of questions submitted by users and answers from doctors and patients. Users can also watch personal stories from breast cancer survivors.
Early Detection Plan: Breast Cancer
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: National Breast Cancer Foundation
URL: http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/nbcf-programs/breast-cancer-edp
Reminds users to perform routine breast self-exams and to schedule clinical breast exams and mammograms, depending on age and health history. Also provides users educational information about clinical breast exams, mammograms, risk factors, signs and symptoms, and how to perform a breast self-exam.
Patient Information Sheets
Type of Tool: Web Application
Organization: OncoNursing.com (Sanofi-Aventis)
URL: http://www.onconursing.com/Tools/Worksheets.aspx
This tool enables providers and nurses to create customized cancer information sheets for their patients based on their specific stage of therapy. The information sheets can include tips on nutrition, physical activity, lifestyle/coping, as well as inspirational messages.
Cancer Survival Toolbox
Type of Tool: Audio Program
Organization: National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS)
URL: http://www.canceradvocacy.org/toolbox/
NCCS offers a free audio program for cancer patients to help them develop important skills to better meet and understand the challenges of their illness. The program uses scenarios drawn from real examples to demonstrate the topics/issues that cancer patients/survivors face. The program includes sections on basic skills (e.g. communicating, finding information, decision-making, negotiating, etc.), special topics (e.g. topics for the elderly, end of life care, finances, etc.), and specific types of cancer.
Tools for Information and Treatment Management
MyHealthTestReminder
Type of Tool: Web Application
Organization: College of American Pathologists
URL: http://www.myhealthtestreminder.org/
Users can enter information about upcoming appointments/tests. The application automatically sends a reminder to the user via e-mail or SMS message.
Oncology Interactive Navigator
Type of Tool: Online Education and Digital Survivorship Tool
Organization: Jack Digital Productions, Inc.
URL: http://www.jackdigital.com/oncology-interactive
The Oncology Interactive Navigator (OIN) is a Canadian web-based tool for cancer centers to use to engage patients. OIN is a comprehensive cancer management system with features such as: educational materials, clinical practice guidelines, tools to encourage a healthy lifestyle, online support communities, information for decision making, and tools for patients to track and manage their care.
My Cancer Coach
Type of Tool:Web Applications/Mobile Application
Organization: Genomic Health, Inc. (supported by Breastcancer.org and Fight Colorectal Cancer)
URL: http://www.mybreastcancercoach.org/; http://www.mycoloncancercoach.org/
My Cancer Coach provides breast and colon cancer patients with treatment information specific to their diagnosis, includes calendar, note-taking and audio-recording functions, and has a glossary of terms as well as links to additional resources.
Cancer Guide and Tracking App
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: LIVESTRONG
URL: http://livestrong.org/Get-Help/cancerguideapp
Allows users to store and access information relevant to cancer treatment and survivorship. Features include:
- Store personal diagnosis, treatment and symptom information, as well as important contacts
- Journal to explore your thoughts as you go through your journey with cancer. Entries may include text, images, and audio, so you can revisit any stage of your treatment
- LIVESTRONG guidebook
- Organize your appointments, finances, treatments, medication, and symptoms with easy-to-read calendars, tables, and logs
- links to free, confidential, one-on-one support for anyone affected by cancer
My Cancer Manager
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: Cancer Support Community
URL: http://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/MainMenu/Cancer-Support/CancerSupportSource-2/Free-Mobile-App-Available-Wherever-You-Are.html
My Cancer Manager is a mobile application that provides cancer patients and caregivers with a unique set of tools for addressing physical, social and emotional concerns related to living with cancer and its treatment. Features include:
- Tracking for common physical and emotional concerns such as fatigue, sleep, sadness,
anxiety, pain, hope
- Tracking for other potential life worries such as family, work, money, nutrition and others
- Links to valuable articles with helpful hints
- Personal journal to record thoughts and questions
- Access to an online social community (The Living Room) and a locator to find nearby Cancer Support Community affiliates
Cancer.net App
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
URL: http://www.cancer.net/multimedia/mobile-applications
The Cancer.net application can help users manage information related to their treatment. It includes guides on 120 types of cancer, a question/answer recorder, space to save medication information (including photos of labels/bottles), a symptom tracker, and a section with cancer.net videos, podcasts, and articles.
iCANcer
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: Naomi Bartley – Cancer Survivor
URL: http://www.hope4acure.net/
iCANcer is an application for helping cancer patients, caregivers, and cancer survivors manage medical information. The app personalizes the "Cancer Journey" and stores important medical information including cancer treatments, medications, medical issues, appointment information, and medical contacts. It can also track and graph lab trends over time and email stored medical history to any new providers the patient sees.
SURVEYOR Health
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: SURVEYOR Health
URL: http://www.surveyorhealth.com/meds/f?p=500:4003:0
Analyzes patients' medications and makes sophisticated predictions of the likelihood of drug interactions and their potential presenting symptoms. Integrates with the Microsoft HealthVault personal health record to automatically import medications.
Navigating Cancer
Type of Tool: Social Network?
Organization: Navigating Cancer
URL: https://www.navigatingcancer.com/
Navigating Cancer is a comprehensive cancer management website offering features such as: a doctor visit guide, the ability to fill out and save common medical forms, a medical records organizer to track treatment/surgery details, a daily journal to monitor symptoms and care, an online patient community, and an extensive resources collection. Navigating Cancer also offers healthcare providers a patient web portal to promote patient engagement.
Colonoscopy Prep Assistant
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: WellApps by Medivo
URL: http://www.wellapps.com/products/colonoscopy
Tracks the number of glasses the user drank in preparation for a colonoscopy and can set a timer to notify the user when it is time to drink the next glass.
Prostate Assistant
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: AstraZeneca
URL: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/prostate-assistant/id541591612?mt=8
Tool to help prostate cancer patients monitor/track their progress including PSA levels and symptoms, access tips about living with prostate cancer, and manage appointments/provider contact information.
HemOnc.org
Type of Tool: Web Application
Organization: Collaborative Wiki
URL: http://hemonc.org/wiki/Main_Page
HemOnc.org is a free hematology/oncology reference created by oncologists. This wiki contains information about medications, references for chemotherapy regimens, and allows medical professionals to share wisdom and insights from their own clinical experiences for the benefit of all. It will continue to evolve and grow to meet the needs of the community because users are able to refine and build upon existing content.
Chemocare.com
Type of Tool: Website
Organization: Chemocare.com
URL: http://chemocare.com/
Chemocare.com is a website designed to provide the latest information about chemotherapy to patients and their families, caregivers and friends. The site includes a reference list of oncology medications, tips for managing chemotherapy and its side-effects, and stories from patients who have undergone chemotherapy treatment.
Tools for Social Support
CarePages
Type of Tool: Social Network
Organization: Social Network/Mobile Application
URL: https://www.carepages.com/
CaringBridge is an online space where user can connect, share and receive support. Users can set up protected sites to post health information for and receive support from friends and family members. CaringBridge also offers a support planning calendar that helps family and friends coordinate care and organize helpful tasks, such as bringing a meal, taking care of pets and other needs.
CaringBridge
Type of Tool: Mobile/Web Application
Organization: CaringBridge
URL: http://www.caringbridge.org
CaringBridge is an online space where user can connect, share and receive support. Users can set up protected "sites" to post health information for and receive support from friends and family members. CaringBridge also offers a support planner, a calendar that helps family and friends coordinate care and organize helpful tasks, such as bringing a meal, taking care of pets and other needs.
theStatus
Type of Tool: Social Network
Organization: theStatus
URL: https://www.thestatus.com/
theStatus is an interactive internet communication tool for patients, their family, and friends. Users can create a personalized web page which includes contact information, the latest news from the patient, a photo gallery, a message board, quotes, and important links.
Avva Ally [currently in beta testing]
Type of Tool: Social Network
Organization: Avva Health Inc.
URL: http://www.avvahealth.com
Avva Ally is a safe and secure online network for patients to stay connected to their family and friends during their treatment journey. Users can update their support community with news of how they are doing.
MyBCTeam
Type of Tool: Social Network
Organization: MyHealthTeams
URL: http://www.mybcteam.com/
Social networking site designed specifically for cancer patients. The site involves creating a supportive team to improve the patient's experience with breast cancer. It offers a searchable provider directory to connect patients with doctors as well as functionalities for identifying other patients at a similar stage of care.
MyLifeLine
Type of Tool: Social Network/Mobile Application
Organization: MyLifeLine.org
URL: http://www.mylifeline.org/
MyLifeLine is a social network that allows cancer patients and their caregivers to set up customized websites used for building a personal online support community. MyLifeLine also provides a list of links to other cancer resources.
CancerCare.org
Type of Tool: Online Support Groups/Webcasts
Organization: CancerCare
URL: http://www.cancercare.org/support_groups; http://www.cancercare.org/connect_workshops
CancerCare is a national nonprofit organization that provides free, professional support services (including counseling, education, financial assistance and practical help) to anyone affected by cancer. CancerCare.org offers a series of online educational webcasts for patients and providers, as well as online cancer support groups led by professional oncology social workers.
MyCancerPlace
Type of Tool: Social Network
Organization: Cancer Monthly, LLC
URL: http://www.mycancerplace.com/
MyCancerPlace seeks to provide an online community for cancer patients to meet and share information. Users can create a profile or personalized web page, participate in specialized discussion groups, and connect with other patients.
Think About Your Life: Cancer
Type of Tool: Social Network
Organization: Think About Your Life
URL: http://thinkaboutyourlife.org/cancerJourneyHome.cfm
Think About Your Life offers a series of tools to empower cancer and other chronic disease patients. These tools are designed to help patients process their thoughts and feelings about their condition, take control and make decisions, and consider both their current circumstances and the future. Tools include user-curated pages such as: "one page profile", "good day bad day", "hopes and fears", "what's working – not working", "dreams", "matching support", and "relationship map". Each page can be shared with others to help patients express their thoughts and emotions about their condition.
Knowcancer.com
Type of Tool: Online Community/Website
Organization: Know Cancer
URL: http://www.knowcancer.com/
Know Cancer is an online community for cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones divided into sections for education, resources, and social networking. The Know Cancer community allows users to set up personal profiles with information about their condition and offers personal journaling tools, a blog, and an "ask the expert" section.
Treatment Diaries
Type of Tool: Social Network
Organization: Treatment Diaries
URL: http://www.treatmentdiaries.com/
Treatment Diaries is a social network based on connecting patients through online journaling. Users create a profile and personal diary in which they can record their thoughts and experiences with cancer to share with and inspire others. Diaries can be used to help patients track treatment, exercise, medications, and other important information, and entries can be kept locked or unlocked depending on how much a user decides to share.
Pink-Link
Type of Tool: Social Network
Organization: Pink-Link
URL: http://www.pink-link.org/
Pink-Link is a social network and website with information and resources for breast cancer patients. On the social network, users can create a profile, participate in discussion forums, and connect with others.
PostHope
Type of Tool: Social Network
Organization: PostHope
URL: http://posthope.com/
Users of PostHope can create personal webpages to receive donations, post status updates, photos, and any other relevant information, while also allowing them to share updates through email, Facebook, Twitter, and other popular social platforms.
Tools for Lifestyle Management
My Health Checklist 2012
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: Proven Health Ways
URL: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-health-checklist-2012/id503584214?mt=8
The application allows users to enter age and gender to generate a list of vaccines, cancer screenings, and lifestyle recommendations for preventative care. Recommendations are based on sources such as the US Preventive Services Task Force and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, though the app includes measures without proven benefits as well. The app also links to other health resources (such as risk assessment calculators, diet information, BMI calculator, and information on how to reduce risks).
Ultraviolet ~ UV Index
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: Robocat Apps
URL: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ultraviolet-uv-index/id445874481?mt=8
Ultraviolet displays the UV index for the user's location or any other location. The app is color coded and animated to visually cue the user to the intensity of the sun's UV rays, and suggests steps the user can take to reduce UV exposure
EPA Sunwise UV Index
Type of Tool: Mobile/Web Application
Organization: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
URL: http://www.epa.gov/enviro/mobile/
The US Environmental Protection Agency offers a free app that provides daily and hourly National Weather Service forecasts of UV radiation levels. The app also offers tips to reduce UV exposure.
Patient.co.uk Applications
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: Patient.co.uk
URL: http://www.patient.co.uk/mobile.asp
Patient.co.uk offers three lifestyle management applications for patients. Weight Tracker allows users to set weight goals and track their progress toward meeting those goals. Depression offers a diagnostic screening tool and information about depression. Sleep Diary helps users monitor their sleep habits and send the results to their doctor.
Calorie Counter & Diet Tracker
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: MyFitnessPal.com
URL: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/mobile
MyFitnessPal helps users log and track food consumption and exercise habits. The app features a massive foods database with nutrition information which can be accessed through manual entry or via a barcode scanner. Users can connect with friends to work to lose weight together.
Lose It!
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: Fit Now, Inc.
URL: http://www.loseit.com/
Lose It! is a weight loss application which allows user to set weight loss goals, monitor caloric intake, and connect with friends.
MyPlate Calorie Tracker
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: LIVESTRONG
URL: http://www.livestrong.com/calorie-counter-mobile/
MyPlate is a simple application with a food and fitness database for tracking caloric intake and losing weight.
Nike+ Running
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: Nike
URL: http://nikeplus.nike.com/plus/products/gps_app/
Nike+ Running uses a smartphone's built-in GPS and accelerometer to accurately record the user's distance, time, and pace. The application provides audio cues with information about a run to keep the user informed. It also features social network integration to allow friends to cheer the user on while they run.
Fitness Buddy
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: Azumio
URL: http://fitnessbuddyapp.com/
Fitness Buddy offers a directory of exercise options with descriptions and animations. Users can create custom exercise programs or select from recommended workouts and track body metrics and weight.
Quit-it
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: Digitalsirup
URL: http://www.digitalsirup.com/apps/app_quitit.html
Quit-it is an mobile application designed to help users quit smoking. The app offers encouragement by displaying the amount of money saved and cigarettes avoided based on a user's progress in quitting, while also pointing out the health benefits they have achieved.
NCI QuitPal
Type of Tool: Mobile Application
Organization: National Cancer Institute (NCI)/Smokefree.gov
URL: http://www.smokefree.gov/apps/nciquitpal/
NCI QuitPal supports a user's efforts to quit smoking through cessation strategies and tools. Users can set a quit date, financial goals, and reminders, track daily smoking habits, view health milestones, receive tips to manage cravings, and connect with social networks to share progress.
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