New iPhone App Launched

Submitbookmarker - A new iPhone application designed to remind women to check for signs of breast cancer was launched today. The iBreastCheck enables women to set a personalised alert to look for any unusual symptoms.

Designed to improve understanding of the disease, the app was brought out as a new study for Breakthrough Breast Cancer revealed 50% of women were not carrying out regular checks.

Bernie Nolan, who is currently being treated for the disease, said: 'This is an incredible development from Breakthrough Breast Cancer. I only wish it had been thought of sooner.

'The earlier breast cancer is found, the better the chance of beating it, which is why I would urge every woman to get into the habit of being breast aware and following Breakthrough Breast Cancer's simple Touch Look Check message - it could make all the difference.'

The 49-year-old member of all-sibling pop group The Nolans shaved her head after chemotherapy treatment caused her hair to fall out. Diagnosed with breast cancer in April, she is the third Nolan sister to battle the disease.

Along with the alert, the iBreastCheck includes information explaining what symptoms to look out for. Users can also complete The Risk Report to help them assess their own likelihood of contracting breast cancer based on family history, lifestyle and environmental factors.
DJ and presenter Edith Bowman, who witnessed her mother's battle with the disease, said the app could help thousands of people.

'My mum survived breast cancer, we were lucky to catch it so early, so the work that Breakthrough Breast Cancer does is incredibly close to my heart,' she said.

'Many women aren't checking their breasts because they either don't think they are at risk, don't know how to check themselves or just simply forget to do it.

'It's fantastic that Breakthrough Breast Cancer has developed iBreastCheck specifically with all these considerations in mind. I'll have it to remind me to check and hopefully thousands of women will do the same.'

The study of 1,000 adults, carried out by OnePoll last month, showed one in four women do not check their breasts simply because they forget.

The survey also showed many were unaware of the key factors that could increase their risk of breast cancer - 53% of women did not know drinking alcohol could increase their risk, 47% did not realise putting on weight would have this effect and 44% did not know they could reduce the chances of contracting the disease by taking regular exercise.

Dr Sarah Rawlings, head of policy at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: 'While most breast cancers are in women aged over 50, a woman can develop the disease at any time so it is vital that all women are breast aware.'

Breast cancer is the UK's most commonly diagnosed cancer, with nearly 46,000 cases reported each year, according to the charity. Around 1,000 women die from it every month. The iBreastCheck is free to download from iTunes and the www.iBreastCheck.com website.