Pre Check app

The Pre Check app is an interactive breast model that shows some of the breast changes associated with breast cancer. The home screen resembles a breast and by touching the interactive screen, users can learn the 9 signs of breast cancer (eg, puckering, skin like orange peel, lumps, etc). The 'ready to self-check' screen is a guide on how to check your breasts, with detailed instructions on how to do the touch, look and check method. Users have the option of setting a self-check reminder which will send a push-notification to your phone.

For the complete app description, go to the app website(external link), App Store(external link), or for a more detailed review, see reviews below.

Clinical review

Reviewer: Dr Phoebe Hunt, Medical Officer working in Sexual and Reproductive Health, for Te Whatu Ora Te Tai Tokerau and Magma Healthcare
Date of review: September 2023
Platform: Apple
Version: 1.3.2
Comments: Pre Check app is an interactive way to learn about the symptoms and signs of breast cancer, which also offers reminders for when to complete regular self-breast-checks. However, the app does not take current guidelines from the National Screening Unit or NZ Breast Cancer Foundation or Cancer Society of NZ into account. There is no evidence that regular self-breast examination reduces deaths from breast cancer - which calls the usefulness of this app into question. Age-appropriate mammograms (45-69 years) are the only breast-cancer screening test that have been proven to reduce breast cancer deaths, so I do not think the use of this app should be promoted.
Safety concerns: None.
New Zealand relevance: Yes.

Clinical review

No rating provided

Reviewer: Jeremy Steinberg, GP, FRNZCGP
Date of review: October 2019
Comments: This app is most useful for women in their 40s and older, to learn about some of the breast changes associated with breast cancer. This app recommends a rigorous monthly self-examination with monthly email reminders. This goes counter to the evidence and guidelines which now promote breast-awareness. The app doesn’t allow women to make an informed choice about whether to self-examine. There are associated harms with self-screening and there is no education provided about this controversial topic. Many studies have shown self-examination leads to more breast biopsies without any benefit (including no benefit following intensive instruction). There is a greater chance of having a benign breast biopsy and associated anxiety.
Safety concerns: Breast self-examination can lead to a higher rate of benign breast biopsies.
New Zealand relevance: Highly relevant – this is a New Zealand app.