Periodic breast self-examination prompting device

#This invention relates to a timing and prompting device. More particularly, this invention relates to a device that alerts and prompts a user within its proximity that a period of time has passed to remind the user to perform a task, such as a breast self-examination.

#Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, other than skin cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer. The American Cancer Society predicts there are several hundred thousand new cases of breast cancer each year with some forty thousand deaths resulting from the disease. Breast cancer also occurs in men, although much less often.

#The earlier breast cancer is found, the better the chances for successful treatment. Because early breast cancer does not produce symptoms, it's important for all women to follow the guidelines of the American Cancer Society for finding breast cancer early. These include the following:

#The following figures are provided by way of example and not limitation:

#FIG. 1 is a front view of a prompting device enclosed in a water resistant housing according to one preferred embodiment of the invention.

#FIG. 2 is a generalized and simplified schematic of the electrical circuit utilized in one preferred embodiment of the device.

#Overview

#A device for prompting a user after an interval of time has passed is described. The device is primarily described herein in relation to use of the device to remind a woman (or man) to perform a breast self-examination, although other uses of the device are contemplated as well.

#In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises an electrical circuit contained within a suitable housing that includes input means such as one or more buttons or switches, a controller typically in the form of a microprocessor for controlling the operation and timing functions of the device, and a proximity sensor.