Cancer is one of those long-term diseases that even when it fully goes away, comes back with different residual diseases in a different form. It?s residual illnesses often take the form of diabetes and heart diseases. Experts say there are digital tools that could help detect and possibly prevent chronic long-term condition in childhood cancer survivors. So, what?s the solution?
A sleek smartwatch or a discreet patch humming with data, capturing the ebb and flow of your body’s rhythms around the clock. Wearable devices for childhood cancer survivors go beyond step counts; they monitor glucose fluctuations, vital signs, mood swings, and behavioral patterns over weeks, months, even years.
This is science in action that offers insights that clinical visits simply can’t match.
Dr. Yue Liao, an assistant professor of kinesiology at The University of Texas at Arlington, puts it poetically: ?Wearable sensors let us monitor daily fluctuations, your blood glucose levels, vital signs, even mood or behaviour ? over weeks, months, or years. That gives us new insight into disease risk and behavior that we didn?t have access to with infrequent one-time measurements.?
By redefining diabetes risk through personalized data, these devices empower survivors to spot red flags early, like a vigilant sentinel in the night. Devices like continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) or advanced fitness bands could integrate with apps, alerting users to anomalies before they snowball into full-blown conditions. Curious about the top picks? Our guide to best wearable glucose monitors breaks it down.
From labs to lifelines
This isn’t just hype; it’s backed by a fresh review from powerhouses like City of Hope cancer center and UT Arlington, published in the journal Cancer.
The study spotlights how digital health tools can bridge gaps in care for these kids, whose treatments disrupt physiologic development in ways that echo into adulthood.
Dr. Liao emphasizes the uniqueness: ?Their survivorship trajectory is much longer, and that makes their aging-related disease risk more complicated.?
By harnessing wearables, researchers aim to foster sustainable lifestyle tweaks that build muscle health and slash diabetes odds. Early detection via digital platforms could mean fewer hospital stays and more playground adventures. And the potential? Limitless. These tools aren’t just monitoring; they’re mentoring, turning survivors into architects of their own wellness.
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