Wouldn’t it be nice, the next time you’re visiting your oncologist, to be able to take out your iPhone and tell the doctor exactly what side effects you had, on what days, after your last chemo treatment? Or better yet – email the information without ever typing an email?

Or quickly tell a nurse specifically what medicines you’re taking, on what schedule, when she’s trying to figure out drug interactions?

Or how about being able to post treatment updates to family and friends via your CaringBridge account – while you’re hanging out in the waiting room with nothing to do?

Welcome to the brave new world of breast cancer apps.

If you have a smart phone (a phone that can connect to the Internet – e.g., iPhone, Android, Blackberry, HP/Palm, etc.), you’ve probably heard the term mobile apps, or just plain apps. Short for applications, it refers, in most basic terms, to Web-based things you can do with your phone. 

Like check the weather in China. See a satellite view of your neighborhood on Google Earth.  Or play a game (which is actually the most widespread use of apps).

Apps can be as simple as connecting to Facebook; or as complex as scanning the barcode of a package of cookies at the supermarket, getting their nutritional analysis, and reading suggestions for what might be a healthier choice (Fooducate).

When you find the right apps, ones you like and use, they can quickly become part of your daily life – a kind of personal assistant helping you remember appointments and shopping lists, navigate from Point A to Point B, and connect with friends.

Surprisingly, apps can also help you manage your breast cancer treatment.

There are literally millions of apps available; most are free, and many of the rest cost a minimal amount. But there are very few that are truly useful for dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis.

There are a lot of apps that show you how to do a breast self exam, then send you a monthly reminder to do it. And many offer pink ribbon stuff, promote breast cancer awareness, or aggregate cancer news.

But for pure utility, I’ve found less than a handful of apps that will help you through your breast cancer diagnosis and ensuing treatment – or that of your mom, sister, or BFF.

Let’s check out my favorites.

Breast Cancer Diagnosis Guide
Developed by breastcancer.org
Version reviewed: 1.2
For: iPhone, iTouch, iPad
Cost: FREE

This app is a great tool for recording and using details of your diagnosis. You’ll access your pathology report to fill in information ranging from general (type of cancer, size of tumor) to specific (numbers on your ER/PR test).

Once all this data is entered, breastcancer.org will send you links to useful articles on its site specific to your diagnosis. For instance, if you’re a post-menopausal woman with ER/PR-receptive breast cancer, you may be linked to a study on aromatase inhibitors.

Developed by a well-respected non-profit, breastcancer.org, the site also has an incredibly helpful glossary of breast cancer terms. Want to know what lymphatic invasion is? Wondering about the Ki-67 test? How about cribiform DCIS? Simply scroll through the app’s comprehensive word list for definitions of many of the confusing terms you’ll find in your pathology report.