Bangalore develops apps to support adolescent cancer patients, strong carers
A Bengaluru teenager has developed an app to support cancer patients, with special attention to make it accessible to people in rural areas who often struggle to understand complex remedies and face confusion during care journey.
A 16-year-old student from Bangalore has often developed a mobile app to help support a group āforgetā in a cancerous trip-
Avni Radheshham, a student of Class XI at 10X International School, launched Onkocargivar, who was an app designed to offer emotional, medical and logical support for people caring for cancer patients.
From Avaniās personal experience, the initiative stems that her family members struggle to take care of the two loved ones who diagnose stage 2 cancer.
āBoth my grandmother and aunt were diagnosed a few years ago. My parents were their primary care, and I first saw how hard it was emotionally and practically. They were managing complex remedies, were making difficult decisions, and providing round-the-clock support, all while trying to be strong,ā they explained IndiaToday.in.
Coming from an oncologistās family, Avni was not a stranger to the world of cancer care. However, he noticed that when many innovations are being developed for patients, people supporting them ā called carers ā often get very little or no help.
His understanding deepened during an internship at an oncology hospital in Bangalore. There, he interviewed dozens of carers and conducted surveys across the city.
The findings detected a high level of anxiety, depression, burnout and confusion around treatment options from findings. Many people also reported to feel isolated and overwhelmed.
āIt became clear to me that carers require support, as immediately as patients.
To bridge this difference, he created oncocaregiver, a-stop app, which offers a suit of equipment to suit the needs of carers. These include careful burnouts, access plans, cancer-specific food plans from medical nutritional experts, a dedicated cancer coach to explain a colleague-supporting chat group from medical nutritional experts.
The app also offers a verified directory of oncologist for online yoga and meditation session, emergency resources and second opinion. Seriously, it offers these services either free or at subsidized rates, with a complete free access to rural and disadvantaged users.
Since its launch in October 2024, the app has supported over 50 carers, built over 1,000 members on Instagram, conducted workshops on subcutaneous care and mindfulness, and onboard volunteers from all colleges.
Avni said that work is going on to expand the access by translating the app and website into nine regional Indian languages.
āThis app is in the form of a lifeline. With the unheard heroes of caring cancer.
