Bowel Cancer UK develops text-based support programme

Bowel Cancer UK has developed a mobile phone text-based support programme for people recently diagnosed with bowel cancer.

It is the first text message support service of its kind, created especially to help the nearly 43,000 people who are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year in the UK.

By enrolling on the programme, patients receive a text each day for five days, sharing support, advice and engaging videos on topics from coping with a diagnosis and talking to people close to you, to relaxation techniques and information about sleep and fatigue. It is free to sign up and users can access the support service by simply scanning a QR code on the Bowel Cancer UK website.

Bowel Cancer UK developed the service in under eight weeks, in partnership with GoodCourse. Throughout the process, the charity worked closely with patients to ensure the service provides useful and effective support.

Catherine Winsor, director of services at Bowel Cancer UK, said: “As a charity we are committed to being there for bowel cancer patients at every step.

“We know being diagnosed with bowel cancer can be an emotional experience and the programme aims to help reduce anxiety about your diagnosis.

“We’re excited to partner with GoodCourse and hope the service offers much needed support to those who have recently been diagnosed.”

Significant strides have been made in the past year in the quest to learn how to fight bowel cancer. New research suggested that an artificial intelligence test could hold the key to more targeted bowel cancer treatment.

Chris Mansfield, CEO of GoodCourse, added: “Accessibility and ‘ease of use’ when it comes to support couldn’t be more important, particularly when someone is going through one of their toughest challenges.

“Bowel Cancer UK’s materials and expert support options are already phenomenal, and I’m so pleased to see our technology used to help deliver their services to people in need.

“Now high impact support can be accessed by simply scanning a QR code.”