Minnesota-based Allina Health has launched Cancer Connection, a mobile app that provides breast cancer patients with accessible information to navigate their diagnosis and take control of their treatment.

“We understand how daunting a diagnosis can be, and we want our patients to be partners in their own care,” said Badrinath Konety, Allina Health’s chief academic officer and president of the Allina Health Cancer Institute. “Not only can the app help them better understand their journey, but it can lead to improved treatment adherence which may contribute to better outcomes.”

Cancer Connection (www.allinahealth.org/mobile-apps/cancer-connection-app), available on the Apple App Store and Google Play, features symptom and drainage trackers, a curated learning library with expert-reviewed educational articles, a customisable to-do list, and a notepad patients can use to prepare for appointments.

“This app illustrates Allina Health’s continued investment in resources that help engage the communities we serve in order to deliver the highest level of care,” said David Ingham, Allina Health’s chief information officer. “As patients download and use the app and we make necessary updates and enhancements, we look forward to expanding it to additional cancer types in the future.”

Allina Health now has four apps (www.allinahealth.org/mobile-apps) available to the public: the Allina Health App for all patients; Beginnings for patients experiencing pregnancy and early childhood questions; Cancer Connection for patients navigating cancer treatment; and Take Heart for patients before and after a heart procedure.

Allina Health (www.allinahealth.org) is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of illness and enhancing the greater health of individuals, families and communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. A non-profit health care system, it cares for patients from beginning to end-of-life through its more than 90 clinics, 12 hospital campuses, 14 retail pharmacies, and many specialty care centres and specialty medical services, home care and emergency medical transportation services.