Smart health via mHealth? Potentials of mobile health apps for improving prevention and adherence of breast cancer patients

Abstract

Objective Today there are several health and medical apps (mHealth) in app stores. Germany is the world's first country that introduced apps paid by the regular health insurance service. Even though breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, mHealth for breast cancer has been largely unexplored. Methods A total of 33 apps from two major mobile application marketplaces (Google Play Store/Android; App Store/iOS) have been selected for analysis. Results The app analysis shows that there are currently only 10 mHealth apps in German, which are specifically dedicated to breast cancer patients. The features of these apps fall into two categories: improvement of health literacy and indirect intervention. These apps can be used for all phases of the patient journey starting with the diagnosis. Conclusions mHealth apps have the potential to support the adherence of breast cancer patients. In order to exploit this future potential, the app quality, as well as the information about the available apps, must be urgently improved. Currently, it is very difficult both for laypersons and for doctors/other therapists to identify high-quality apps. Guidance from independent or governmental institutions would be helpful to further the digitalization in health care.

A content-based review of mobile health applications for breast cancer prevention and education: Characteristics, quality and functionality analysis

“…However, there are little restrictions on who can develop and publish an app and regulatory organizations rarely check the validity of the health information provided in these apps. 25 , 26 This has resulted in many websites 27 , 28 and mHealth apps providing unclear quality of information for patients, 3 , 28 – 33 which is particularly troublesome as patients who are not familiar with medicine topics often cannot differentiate between trustworthy, reliable and less relevant information, putting users’ health and safety at risk. 27 , 28 , 33 While mHealth apps have a great potential to aid women in adopting healthier lifestyles, raising awareness about the significance of breast cancer prevention and offering dependable and accurate information, prior reviews about breast cancer apps are still subjected to various limitations.…”

“… 27 , 28 , 33 While mHealth apps have a great potential to aid women in adopting healthier lifestyles, raising awareness about the significance of breast cancer prevention and offering dependable and accurate information, prior reviews about breast cancer apps are still subjected to various limitations. Some have only focused on breast cancer patients or survivors, 30 , 34 , 35 while others conducted app store searches from other continents than Europe, 35 , 36 or only analysed app content and not their quality. 30 , 32 , 34 – 36 Consequently, we set out to provide a review of mobile apps available on the German Google Play or Apple App store covering particularly apps focusing on breast cancer prevention and education.…”

Digital technology for health shows disparities in cancer prevention between digital health technology users and the general population in Romania

“…In oncology, applications are included in current recommended therapies (8). Nevertheless, health prevention is essential, and the studies exploring the DHT, particularly telephone reminders or messages, for cancer screening participation found that they do have effect (9,10).…”

Growth in the development of health and fitness mobile apps amid COVID-19 pandemic

“…H-F genre on iOS App Store refers to the "Apps related to healthy living, including stress management, fitness, and recreational activities." 1 H-F mobile apps allow users to access and keep track of their H-F data continuously, 18 , 19 which helps in changing health behavior, 20 , 21 such as monitoring weight and diet, 22 managing a disease 23 or promoting medication adherence. 24 As discussed earlier, the pandemic has impacted access to H-F facilities and increased the use and development of new mobile apps.…”