On the eve of World Cancer Day, the Indian Cancer Society (ICS) took a giant leap in the fight against cancer by launching the “Rise Against Cancer” mobile app. This innovative app aims to tackle the primary impediment in cancer care – lack of awareness. The app provides a wealth of information on four major cancers – breast, cervical, oral, and lung – in multiple languages and in audio-video format. The app also offers guidance and resources for caregivers and patients, and reinforces the medical instructions from healthcare professionals.
The app was unveiled by Ms. Jyotsna Govil, the chairperson of ICS, along with her team of experts led by Dr. Priya Parmar, the director of operations at ICS. In an exclusive conversation with eHealth, they highlighted the critical role of awareness in timely cancer treatment and prevention. They also shared their vision and mission of making the app accessible and affordable to everyone, especially the underprivileged and the rural population.
A Comprehensive and Multilingual Information Hub
The “Rise Against Cancer” app is designed to bridge the awareness gap that exists in India, where cancer is often detected at a late stage, leading to poor outcomes and high mortality. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India had 1.16 million new cancer cases and 7.84 lakh cancer deaths in 2020. The app focuses on four major cancers that account for 41% of the cancer burden in India.
The app provides vital information on the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of these cancers, in a simple and easy-to-understand manner. The app also features testimonials and stories of cancer survivors, who share their experiences and inspire others to fight the disease. The app is available in multiple languages, including Hindi, English, Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada, ensuring accessibility to a wide audience across India.
A Support System for Caregivers and Patients
The app also recognizes the importance of caregivers, who play a crucial role in the cancer journey of the patients. The app provides guidance on how to take care of the patients, how to access the resources and facilities, and how to cope with the emotional and financial stress. The app also connects the caregivers with the ICS helpline, where they can seek counselling and support from the trained volunteers.
For the patients, the app serves as a reinforcement tool, ensuring that they retain the crucial instructions from the healthcare professionals. The app also helps them to track their appointments, medications, and reports, and to monitor their progress and recovery. The app also enables them to communicate with their doctors and caregivers, and to seek help in case of any emergency.
A Vision and a Mission to Make a Difference
The app is the result of the vision and the mission of the ICS, which is to create a cancer-free society in India. The ICS, which was founded in 1951, is the oldest and the largest voluntary organization dedicated to cancer awareness, detection, and support in India. The ICS has been conducting various programs and activities, such as cancer screening camps, cancer education workshops, cancer support groups, and cancer research grants, to achieve its objectives.
The app is the latest initiative of the ICS, which aims to leverage the power of technology and digital media to reach out to a larger and diverse population. The app is free and easy to download from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. The app is also compatible with the feature phones, which are widely used in the rural areas. The ICS plans to collaborate with various stakeholders, such as the government, the NGOs, the corporates, and the media, to promote and distribute the app to the masses.
