Oura ring alerts user to early cancer signs

A nurse in Virginia, Nikki Gooding, credits her smart ring for alerting her to early signs of cancer. She was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma earlier this year after experiencing night sweats, fatigue, and an elevated heart rate. At first, she ignored these symptoms but the ring prompted her to seek medical advice. The Oura ring, which she wears regularly, monitors various health metrics like movement, sleep quality, and temperature. It can even indicate when illnesses may occur. Gooding received warning alerts from the app linked to her ring, which indicated unusual patterns in her health data. In a TikTok video, Gooding shared her experience with over 2.5 million viewers. She mentioned that upon returning from a trip, her symptoms worsened and the ring detected dangerous temperature spikes. This convinced her to visit a doctor, leading to her cancer diagnosis. The Oura ring, released in 2013 by a Finnish company, is designed to track health information deeply. Priced between £299 and £549, it uses sensors to gather health data more effectively than wrist-worn devices. Research suggests that it can detect illnesses like flu, Covid, and other health conditions based on sleep patterns. However, Oura Health stresses that the ring is not a medical device and is meant to promote proactive health awareness. It aims to help users understand their health better and enhance discussions with healthcare professionals.