Smartphone apps for cancer: A content analysis of the digital health marketplace

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the state of smartphone applications for cancer intended for the general public with a focus on interactive features, content sources, and application developer affiliations. The level of health provider involvement in screening or appraising application content was also assessed.Methods: A total of 123 apps were identified for analysis from two major mobile application marketplaces (Apple iTunes ¼ 40; Google Play ¼ 83). Application characteristics were collected, analyzed, and reported. These included the mobile platform, cost, application developer affiliation, date of last update, purpose of application, content sources, and interactive features.Results: In the study sample, 50% of the applications focused on general information for cancer (62/123). Next, this was followed by applications for breast cancer (15%, 19/123) and skin cancer (7%, 8/123). Only 10% of application descriptions (12/123) identified sources for application content. Interactive features included the ability to monitor symptoms, side effects, treatments, and chronic pain (20%, 25/123). Only 3% of the applications (4/123) stated content had been evaluated by health providers.Conclusions: This study contributes an updated analysis of applications for cancer available in the digital health marketplace. The findings have implications for information quality and supportive resources for cancer care. More transparent information about content sources, organizational affiliations, and level of health provider oversight in screening application content is warranted. Recommendations for improving the quality of cancer applications are also offered.

Evaluation of Mobile Health Applications to Track Patient-Reported Outcomes for Oncology Patients: A Systematic Review

“…There are many cancer-focused mHealth apps available on the digital marketplace. 5 , 6 , 7 A prior review performed in 2014 found 166 apps targeted toward cancer patients, 7 and an update from 2015-2017 identified an additional 123 cancer-focused apps. 6 However, nearly 85% of these apps lack the ability to track symptoms, side effects, and treatments, despite patient reported outcomes (PROs) being an increasingly important component of defining patient-centered care and value.…”

“… 5 , 6 , 7 A prior review performed in 2014 found 166 apps targeted toward cancer patients, 7 and an update from 2015-2017 identified an additional 123 cancer-focused apps. 6 However, nearly 85% of these apps lack the ability to track symptoms, side effects, and treatments, despite patient reported outcomes (PROs) being an increasingly important component of defining patient-centered care and value. 6 , 7 Indeed, determining ways to integrate real-time collection and evaluation of PROs in a user-friendly and easily integrated electronic format is essential for optimal patient-provider communication and accurate symptom tracking.…”

“… 6 However, nearly 85% of these apps lack the ability to track symptoms, side effects, and treatments, despite patient reported outcomes (PROs) being an increasingly important component of defining patient-centered care and value. 6 , 7 Indeed, determining ways to integrate real-time collection and evaluation of PROs in a user-friendly and easily integrated electronic format is essential for optimal patient-provider communication and accurate symptom tracking. Importantly, mHealth apps may allow patients to track symptoms and side effects in an efficient and meaningful way.…”

Mobile Health Strategies to Tackle Skin Neglected Tropical Diseases With Recommendations From Innovative Experiences: Systematic Review

“…Currently, of the over 325,000 health-related apps available [ 26 ], over 500 are skin related, with 90 providing self-surveillance and diagnosis [ 27 ]. Evaluation of six apps for skin cancer diagnosis has been conducted in high-income countries with discouraging results [ 28 ], and content analysis of 123 apps demonstrated that all were in need of improvement [ 29 ].…”

The need for individual testing of applications aimed at early detection of skin cancer

“…The increasing use of smartphones and technological advances has given rise to a range of applications for medical and healthcare purposes. The field of oncology is no exception, with applications being made available for, amongst others, education, treatment information, prevention and early detection [1]. A large proportion of the applications claiming to provide the opportunity for early detection are active within the field of skin cancer.…”