Breast cancer is the second most common illness in the world. About 60% of all ovarian cancer cases are fatal. We will provide some useful information, resources and apps that will help women to better understand and keep track of their health. 

No, the fact that you need to pay special attention to your health is not obvious to most ladies, there are some who never paid a visit to the gynaecologist or mammologist. Even nowadays, with the growing feminist movement, the subject of female health often remains taboo. In some families mothers and daughters are not particularly close and it is awkward for them to discuss such matters. Girls get all their insight from their friends or films. Telling adults that they wish to see a doctor is shameful because they may be asked if they’re sleeping with someone. Yes, for whatever reason it is often believed that an appointment with a gynaecologist is just that. Thus, it is not at all obvious to young girls that it is necessary to go for checkups simply to make sure that everything is fine. They are necessary in order to get professional advice and to know what to pay attention to in the future. They help to understand the peculiarities of your own body and you don’t have to worry about the possible causes of unpleasant sensations. 

​Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women. As of the year 2012, 25% of all cases are fatal. This is mainly because women do not get their breasts examined and only notice the illness at a later stage. Timely treatment usually gives good results! Ovarian cancer is the seventh most common illness among women, whereas the mortality rate is approximately 60%. Don’t you think it’s worth taking one hour out of your year to see a doctor?

Gynaecologists and mammologists are women’s doctors. Young women see gynaecologists for breast examinations as well. There are certain points to keep in mind for each age:

• Seeing a doctor in your 20s helps to prevent the development of diseases that affect childbirth
• In your 30s you should make an additional appointment with a mammologist
• Past the age of 35 you should do a mammography every year, which helps to detect diseases at an early stage and saves millions of lives of women worldwide
• Examinations after the age of 40 help women to get through menopause and prevent the possible development of tumours

This method does NOT replace an annual doctor’s examination. Many specialists recommend conducting it in addition to routine checks in order to contact a mammologist in time. The applications listed below address this issue in detail and show how to conduct a self-examination.  Apart from that, they send reminders and save all the data in an online diary. The complaints and notes can be shown to a doctor during an appointment. 

• Breast Check
  This app can send reminders, it is currently only available in English.
• Self Check 
  This application does not have any reminders but there is an option to demonstrate the place where you feel there is a lump, as well as its size, on a picture. 
• Flo Tracker
  The Instagram profile of the Flo app for tracking the cycle shot a short and comprehensible video on breast self-examination. We have attached it below. 

Many women have menstrual calendars. This is very important and helps women to notice any bodily malfunctions in time in order to turn the situation around. Also, it’s useful to plan a possible pregnancy or prevent an unwanted one. We have tested the apps and have compiled a small selection of free and pleasant to use trackers. In each of these apps you take note of your well-being during the cycle and while on your period.

• Flo

The most popular app with a 4.9 out of 5 rating on the AppStore. Before getting started you have to fill in an application form so that the tracker is fully personalised. In addition, you can analyse your cycle which includes statistics on headaches or sexual activity, for instance. There is likewise an option to set a reminder for the upcoming menstruation or ovulation period. The data is password protected. But the most important difference between Flo and the other apps is the pregnancy mode. When you’re pregnant, the normal illustration of the cycle changes to a full-fledged pregnancy overview.

• Clue

Editor’s choice! The app is simple, has a minimalistic design and all of the basic functions. Besides the main notifications, Clue can remind users about breast examinations. A cycle analysis is also provided. You can share your data (with your partner, your doctor) or add someone else’s cycle (such as your daughter’s) into your interface. If you wish to keep everything private, simply password protect the app. 

• Eve 

All of the basic functions are available. This tracker differs from the others in that it pays more attention to female health forums (which you can choose yourself). Lessons on different areas of women’s lives are provided at an extra fee. 

Menopause is the decline of the female reproductive system. It is related to age-related changes in the body. Natural menopause (also known as climax) usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can also be early (at 40-45 years of age) or late (over 55 years old). Artificial menopause may be caused by the surgical removal of the reproductive organs, or parts thereof, as well as medicinal side-effects. 

Some possible menopause symptoms:

• Hot flushes 
• Mood swings and depressive states
• Reduced sex drive
• Increased urination and increased risk of bladder infection
• Breast reduction
• Dryness of the skin and reduced elasticity, greying hair

 Menopause View is an app that records the symptoms. There's also a dictionary of the terms that may be used by doctors.

Take care of your health! Being a woman is a pride and joy. Don’t forget to share the information with your girlfriends, help them with a word of advice in a complicated situation. Create awareness, share this article on social media, because

When women support each other, incredible things happen

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