Breast Cancer Risk Assessment app review

Introduction

We've got a very simple app to use that can be beneficial for all women as a way to estimate their risk of developing breast cancer at some point. The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment app can be used on your iPod touch, iPad, and iPhone and is a user-friendly interactive tool that is able to take a look at a number of personal factors in order to give you an estimate. The app has been built using the statistical model of the "Gail model," which was actually named after Dr. Mitchell Gail, Senior Investigator in the Biostatistics Branch of the NCI's Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics.

Getting an Estimate

Now before beginning with the app it’s very important to note that this app provides you with a risk estimate, this is by no means replaces seeing a healthcare professional and isn’t meant to be a definitive answer. With that said the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment app can be a very useful one which at the very least creates awareness of the illness and promotes women in being proactive when it comes to their health. As mentioned this is an interactive tool that asks a number of questions.

In the app's most recent update it has been made to be compatible with iOS 8. It doesn't have a very high customer rating: just 2.5 out of five stars. Although there are no customer comments it's clear that users are looking for more from this offering.

Using the App

The way the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment app works is that it is really meant to be used by a healthcare professional. Of course that hasn't stopped others from using it and quite frankly a healthcare professional probably has their own risk assessment tools/techniques. I really can’t imagine them referring to an app for the estimate. As the developer states, if you aren't a healthcare professional and take the test then it is suggested you discuss the results with your healthcare provider. Really this app can act as an introduction to the conversation making both the patient and doctor aware of any concerns. On a side note it's not meant to be used by those women who have already had a diagnosis of breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), or carcinoma in situ (LCIS).

In the end I’m left confused about the purpose of the app because it seems those who it is meant for really won’t use it. The user interface is also quite basic with nothing impressive and the entire offering just comes up short.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• The app can help to start conversation with a patient and doctor about that person’s risk estimate
• Helps to promote awareness of breast cancer risk assessment

Cons

• This is meant to be used by healthcare professionals but it doesn’t feel as though it would be enough for them
• The user interface is dull
• The entire app falls short on content and design

Final Thoughts

The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment app for your iPod touch, iPad, and iPhone sets out with good intentions that just fail to meet their mark.