A new text messaging program has been launched to help men with advanced prostate cancer as they undergo chemotherapy.
PROST8CARE is the work of Mobile Commons, a New York-based developer of mobile strategy and software solutions, in partnership with Sanofi US and the Prostate Cancer Foundation. It's designed to deliver information, ranging from recommendations for addressing side effects to food and diet tips, that is timed to coincide with the recipient's treatment cycle.
"Text messaging is becoming a vital tool for healthcare providers because it can deliver information in a way that’s easy and convenient for some patients to access,” said Jed Alpert, CEO and co-founder of Mobile Commons, in a recent press release. “The goal of PROST8CARE is to encourage patients and educate them, and facilitate productive conversations with their physicians throughout the course of their treatment. And because 95 percent of Americans with chronic diseases have access to texting, this may be an effective way to reach these patients.”
“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men, with one in six facing a prostate cancer diagnosis in his lifetime and 241,740 new cases reported in 2012 alone,” added Howard Soule, PhD, chief scientific officer for the PCF, in the release. “Through PROST8CARE, we are helping those coping with advanced stages of the disease through text messages timed to coincide with their chemotherapy treatment cycles."
To guide the program's content, Mobile Commons has formed a board of four medical oncologists and four oncology nurses.
While the program is free upon enrollment, standard text and data rates may apply. It's also a one-way text-messaging program; anyone with a question is directed to ask his or her oncology treatment team.
PROST8CARE is the latest healthcare program launched by Mobile Commons, which has been gradually building its healthcare portfolio. Last year the company launched a text messaging program targeted at smokers and unveiled the Mobile Commons for Health Platform, which can integrate text, voice and web applications with participating organizations' CRMs, databases and social marketing tools as well as real-time analytics and reporting tools. Other organizations that have worked with Mobile Commons include the California Department of Public Health, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Harvard Pilgrim, the AARP and the Humane Society.
