About the Macmillan App Library | Apps for Cancer Support
What is the Macmillan App Library?
At Macmillan Cancer Support, we know that people living with cancer find it difficult to navigate through the huge number of health apps available. To help with that we’ve partnered with ORCHA to carry out reviews of a wide range of apps and created a collection of those that scored well for clinical safety, privacy, usability and security.
Who are Macmillan Cancer Support?
Macmillan Cancer Support does whatever it takes to help people living with cancer - providing expert information, healthcare, and emotional, practical and financial support from diagnosis onwards, while working to improve cancer care for everyone across the UK.
Who are ORCHA?
ORCHA (the Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Apps) has been assessing health apps since 2015.
They review apps against key standards, including:
Data and privacy – how your personal information is used and protected
Clinical safety – whether the app is considered safe and backed by evidence
Usability and accessibility – how easy it is to use for different people
Interoperability – how well it works with other systems
Security and reliability – how stable and secure the app is
ORCHA are experts in digital health standards and work with organisations including the NHS and governments around the world.
What does the ORCHA review cover?
ORCHA carries out a detailed check called the Baseline Review. This looks at whether an app meets current standards, regulations and good practice.
This includes checks against recognised standards such as:
CQC (Care Quality Commission) – for apps providing regulated health services
NHS data standards, including the Caldicott Principles – to make sure personal information is used safely and appropriately
ORCHA regularly assess popular and newly updated apps across many health conditions.
The review is independent and advisory. This means ORCHA assesses apps against recognised standards, but it is still the responsibility of the app developer to make sure they meet all legal and regulatory requirements.
What do ORCHA’s scores mean?
Each app is given a score based on how well it meets these standards. A higher score means the app meets more of the required standards.
However:
A high score does not guarantee an app is safe or effective
A lower score does not mean an app is unsafe or ineffective
The score shows how closely the app follows recognised standards compared to others.
How is my data used on this website?
When you use the App Library, we may collect basic information about how the website is used (for example, which pages are visited). This helps us improve the service.
We do not collect or store personal details or health information through this App Library.
Individual apps may have their own data and privacy policies. It’s important to check these before you download or use an app.
Are these apps a replacement for medical advice?
No. These apps are designed to support you, but they should not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare team.
How do I use the App Library?
Browse the categories or search for a condition or symptom to find apps that may help you.
Select an app to see what it does, whether it’s free or paid, and how it scored in ORCHA’s review. You can download the app directly or scan a QR code to open it on your mobile.
Who chose the apps in this library?
ORCHA review a wide range of health apps and maintain their own library of apps they have scored.
Macmillan has selected apps from this list that:
are relevant for people living with cancer
have scored over 65% in ORCHA’s review
These apps then feature in the categories. When there are many similar apps, some lower-scoring ones may not be shown.
Apps which scored under 65% can still be found by searching for the app name, but they don’t appear in the categories.
Most of the apps included are free, but some may have in‑app purchases or require a subscription.
Whilst suppliers may pay ORCHA to undertake a regular review of their app, this does not affect their score or whether they appear in this library.
Why isn’t a specific app listed?
Not all apps are included in the App Library.
We show apps that ORCHA has reviewed and meet our selection criteria. Some apps may not have been reviewed yet or may not be directly relevant for people living with cancer.
Where there are many similar apps, we may not show every option.
How often is the App Library updated?
ORCHA regularly reviews and updates app information, including when apps change or new ones become available.
The App Library is updated to reflect these reviews, so the information stays as current as possible.
What if I have a concern about an app?
If you have a question or concern about an app, you can contact ORCHA directly at:
hello@orchahealth.com. Their team will be happy to help.