A woman diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer has created a revolutionary app for women to conduct self-checks, supported by Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden MBE.
Gemma Ainger, a marketing professional from Gurnsey, developed the app named My Breast Friend after her own battle with breast cancer at 42. Despite lacking a family history and feeling healthy, she discovered the cancer through her own observation in the shower.
My Breast Friend aims to encourage regular self-examinations to detect potential issues early, inspired by Gemma’s experience of not catching her cancer sooner due to infrequent checks. The app provides a simple, quick, and normalized way for individuals to monitor their breast health on a monthly basis.
Amy, also a breast cancer survivor, recognizes the significance of early detection and has been leveraging her platform to advocate for this cause. She expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with Gemma to enhance the app’s reach and impact.
The app, developed by Gemma with expert medical input and legal support, emphasizes the importance of self-care, awareness, and confidence rather than fear. It sends reminders for monthly self-checks and enables users to log any changes discreetly.
One in seven women may develop breast cancer in their lifetime, yet almost half of UK women admit to irregular self-examinations. My Breast Friend aims to normalize self-checks and promote proactive health habits for better outcomes.
Gemma encourages individuals to start self-checking in their twenties and continue throughout their lives to improve early detection rates and outcomes. The app is available for free on both the App Store and Google Play, offering a warm, stigma-free approach to breast health awareness.