The online news outlet Cellular-News published a story recently on the use of cellular phones by teenage and young adult cancer patients to monitor the side-effects of chemotherapy.

The participants in the program record and send details of their symptoms to the medical professionals managing their care. In turn, participants can get basic information about most common symptoms. If the symptoms are serious, the phone triggers an alert at the hospital that prompts medical personnel to check directly with the patient.

This program is yet another example of the development of systems and programs that use wireless communications in monitoring health. Already researchers are working on handheld ultrasound devices and other systems that monitor and transmit information on basic vital signs.

Such systems could be important for our aging population and for people with disabilities who may have specific medical conditions that require regular monitoring.

For the full story on the use of wireless communications for by cancer patients, see: http://www.cellular-news.com/story/31704.php.