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Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Launches App to Track Medical History and Improve Care for Patients with Bile Duct Cancer

One of CCF’s core missions is to provide patients and caregivers with the education and tools they need to make the best possible decisions for their treatment.”
— Stacie Lindsey, CCF Founder and President

SALT LAKE CITY, UT, USA, June 18, 2018 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation today announced the launch of a new app for patients with cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer). The free app, developed in collaboration with Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX), is a new kind of medical information card designed for use on a smart phone, which allows patients and caregivers the ability to store and share important health information with physicians during an emergency or routine appointment.

The app allows patients and caregivers to share:
• A list of symptoms and treatment guidance for an ER physician;
• Details on past treatments and stents implanted into the bile duct;
• A list of patient’s medications;
• Contact information for easy one-touch dialing with the patient’s care team.

The app features the most current research and clinical trial information, along with access to helpful resources from the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, including videos and other patient educational materials. Boston Scientific will provide clinicians with information cards about the app to distribute and educate patients about this important free digital tool.

“I am happy that the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation made this new kind of medical information card a reality,” said Renuka Iyer, M.D., a medical oncologist at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y. “In my practice, I have seen patients with biliary cancer suffer from complications from a blocked bile duct and often wondered how to help them take an active role in their care. The app does this and more by facilitating physician to physician communication to ensure patients get prompt and definitive medical treatment during a biliary emergency.”

Cholangiocarcinoma can often go undetected because the symptoms can mimic other ailments or not appear until the cancer is far too advanced. When symptoms do occur it is usually because a bile duct is blocked. This obstruction can put patients with cholangiocarcinoma at an increased risk for an infection in the biliary system called cholangitis, which can be life threatening. Having accurate information easily available can help healthcare professionals to quickly diagnose and treat this potentially fatal complication.

“We recognize that treating patients in today’s healthcare environment means going beyond the device and providing tools that place important information in the hands of both physicians and patients to help them make more informed decisions,” said Art Butcher, senior vice president and president, Endoscopy, Boston Scientific. “We’re proud to collaborate with the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation on the development of an app that can help patients with bile duct cancer get the care they need, especially in an emergency situation.”

The Cholangiocarcinoma app is available for iOS and Android users and can be downloaded at iTunes or Google Play. It is an information tracking tool that does not constitute professional medical recommendations, treatment, or advice nor is it intended to be used to prevent, diagnose, treat, or cure a condition or disease.

To download the app for iOS, visit http://cholangiocarcinoma.org/app-itunes
To download the app for Android, visit http://cholangiocarcinoma.org/app-googleplay
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About Cholangiocarcinoma
Cholangiocarcinoma is a highly lethal cancer with poor prognosis. There are no effective strategies for prevention, early diagnosis or long-term treatment, indicating a significant unmet medical need. The risk factors and genetic causes of cholangiocarcinoma are not well known and clinical treatment options are extremely limited.

In the U.S., there are now approximately 12,000 new cases diagnosed each year however, the incidence and mortality of cholangiocarcinoma in North America and Europe has increased dramatically in the past few decades. Even with aggressive treatment, survival rates are low and average survival is only 6 month from diagnosis.

About the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation
Founded in 2006, the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation is a global 501(c) (3) non-profit organization whose mission is to find a cure and improve the quality of life for those affected by bile duct cancer. As a rare and lethal disease, cholangiocarcinoma lacks attention and sufficient resources. There is a vast need for education about cholangiocarcinoma across the entire disease spectrum—from bench to bedside. For that reason, the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation continues its efforts to raise awareness of all stakeholders in the cholangiocarcinoma community through advocacy, education, collaboration and research. More information is available at cholangiocarcinoma.org.

Jordan Giles
Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation
888-396-6731x10
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