As a breast cancer survivor and tech enthusiast, I’ve found wearable technology to be crucial in managing health and recovery. These devices go beyond simple fitness tracking; they monitor vital signs, manage symptoms, and support mental well-being. In this post, I’ll highlight some of the most effective wearable devices for survivors on their recovery journey.

Health and Fitness Trackers:

Smartwatch (Apple, Samsung, Garmin, etc.):
I prefer the Apple Watch, but any smartwatch will do. My Apple Watch tracks my heart rate, sleep, fitness levels, standing frequency, reminds me to breathe, and even detects hand washing to ensure proper hygiene. It also links to various apps for medication and hydration reminders, cycle tracking, and more.

Chemo and radiation exacerbated my minor heart issues. An accelerated heart rate often catches me off guard. My watch notifies me when my heart rate is high, helping me stay aware.

As someone with a desk job, my watch reminds me to stand every hour, which is great for joint pain and overall health. I make sure to walk around, refill my water, or stretch to keep my blood flowing.

Chemo brain is real, even years later, so having reminders and calendars at a glance helps me stay organized. Tracking my sleep quality and heart rate while asleep allows me to adjust my habits for better rest.

Additionally, I can receive email and text notifications, make calls, and use Siri, even if my phone is across the room. I even received my cancer diagnosis call on my watch while at work.

Customizations are endless. I have different watch faces highlighting various features like heart rate, calendar, weather, and medication schedules.

Oura Ring:
The Oura Ring, known for precise sleep tracking and readiness assessments, helps you understand your body’s recovery and daily readiness. It offers many smartwatch features in a sleek ring.

From the Oura website:
“Oura is your personalized health tool — packing sleep insights, heart rate monitoring, activity tracking, illness monitoring, and more into a single (and stylish) wearable. It gets to know your personal ‘normal’ and provides tailored insights to help you answer key questions about your health.”

Muse Wearables Ring:
This ring tracks health metrics and integrates payment technology and safety features, making it easier to manage fatigue and cognitive overload.

Specialized Health Monitoring:

Evie Ring and Ring Conn:
These devices continuously monitor health with a focus on women’s health, tracking physical activity and hormonal changes, useful for managing long-term side effects of treatment.

Stress and Symptom Management:

Embr Labs Wristband:
Uses temperature control to provide immediate relief from hot flashes, a common side effect of treatments like chemotherapy and hormonal therapy.

Therabody Smart Goggles:
These goggles use calming music and gentle vibrations to alleviate stress and anxiety, beneficial during recovery, especially on challenging days.

Nausea and Anxiety Relief:

Nausea and Anxiety Bands:
These bands use acupressure points to reduce nausea, a frequent chemotherapy side effect. They are discreet, drug-free, and can be worn all day.

Integrative Health Tools:

Aura Strap:
For Apple Watch users, the Aura Strap enhances health tracking by analyzing body composition (fat, muscle, water) and hydration levels, helping monitor physical health during recovery.

Tracking and Monitoring:

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM):
CGM systems provide real-time data on glucose levels, helping users understand how their bodies respond to different foods. This is beneficial for managing diabetes and maintaining balanced energy levels and overall well-being. CGM devices enable informed dietary choices for better metabolic health.

Wearable technology empowers breast cancer survivors by providing personalized data and support. These devices enhance sleep, manage side effects, and promote activity, significantly improving quality of life during and after treatment. Incorporating wearables into your routine offers comfort, control, and a better understanding of your body’s needs, along with detailed reports for your healthcare team.

Embrace the power of technology—it’s here to support your journey every step of the way.