A dedicated app with information about liver cancer can now be downloaded for free on iPhones and iPads. The ‘My Liver’ app has been launched by Leicester’s Hospitals Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Unit, based at Leicester General Hospital and digital design agency AGF Studio.

Created with the patients’ needs in mind, the ‘My Liver’ app provides advice for each stage of the diagnosis. The intuitive app provides information on treatment options and ways to manage symptoms. Patients can also save their notes from GP and hospital appointment, as well as access pre-written questions.

Over 60 different health care professionals, patients, carers, family members and Health Education England tested the app before it was released worldwide.

Gary Wyatt, was one of the patients who tested the app and now uses it, said: “I’ve found the ‘My Liver’ app very easy to use. It is a fantastic source of information and provides reassurance. The app has guided me throughout my diagnosis including information on the tests and possible procedures which I have and may face in the future.”

“I have used the ‘My Liver’ app to explain Liver Cancer to my family and friends. This has reduced the potential for misinformation that we all come across on the internet. The app is a very useful addition to the care I receive from the specialists at the hospital.”

Mr Giuseppe Garcea Clinical Director and Consultant Surgeon at Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Unit added: “Because many people will only have limited knowledge about the liver, we have recognised that modern technology provides lots of options for patients and carers to access information regardless of where they are in the world, whatever time of the day.”

Design director Andrew Foxwell said: “It has been another great experience working with the HPB Unit in Leicester; we have had the opportunity to develop something meaningful that can really make a difference. We are empowering patients by giving them the information they need, so that they can engage in their own care.”

Professor Lisa Bayliss-Pratt, Health Education England Chief Nurse and Interim Regional Director for London: “It is great to see the new “My Liver” app being launched which allows clinicians to use technology in an effective and supportive way to help personalise a patients care. I hope it will be a great example to others in how we can allow patients to play a part in educating themselves and managing their own condition.”

The app is available worldwide and can be downloaded from the App Store on Apple devices for free – search for My Liver.