AstraZeneca UK launches prostate cancer app

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Hannah Blake

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AstraZeneca has launched a new app, called Prostate Assistant, which will help prostate cancer patients to monitor their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. While this isn’t the first-ever PSA testing app, this is the first app developed by AZ for patients, as opposed to doctors.

Patients can input their PSA levels into the free app on their smartphone or tablet after a doctor has recorded them, and the app will create a graph, visually enabling patients to track their own levels. The app also allows patients to access a range of healthcare information prostate cancer, manage medical appointments and record notes.

" The new ‘Prostate Assistant’ mobile application is a valuable tool for men with prostate cancer who not only want to know more about their condition, but who also want to continuously update their records and communicate directly with their doctors. Innovative healthcare technology is important as it provides patients with a private and flexible way of communicating that can enhance their interactions with healthcare professionals.”

John Calleary, consultant urologist at North Manchester General Hospital, helped AZ to develop the app.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK and over 40,000 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009, according to Cancer Research UK. Three-quarters of men diagnosed with prostate cancer are over 65, which has raised some discussion around just how downloadable this app will be, as apps most likely target a younger market.

AstraZeneca’s range of smartphone and tablet apps also includes AZ Quest cardiology app and EGFR mutation testing app for lung cancer, both of which are aimed at doctors.

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Related news:

AstraZeneca launches prostate cancer app (Inpharm)

Reference links:

Cancer Research UK

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