Mobile software in the follow-up of early breast cancer A randomized study

Purpose After primary treatment, patients with early breast cancer are followed-up for 5-10 years. At the Helsinki University Hospital (HUS) five year surveillance consists of three appointments and a phone service operated by a breast cancer nurse practitioner for patients who need counselling about symptoms related to side-effects or potential recurrence. In 2015 HUS launched a mobile software for cancer patients. This study was designed to find out patient preference for the modality of surveillance during the first years as the primary endpoint. Methods 765 patients with early breast cancer were randomized at the final visit of adjuvant radiotherapy to surveillance by phone calls or by mobile software. After six months the groups were crossed over to the other arm. At 12 months the patients were asked their preference. Results 446 patients (60%) contacted breast cancer nurse with either method at least once during the first year. Patient preference was analyzed among the 142 patients who contacted breast cancer nurse with both modalities. Of the patients 40% preferred phone calls, 30% mobile software while 30% considered both modalities equally good. There was no difference in quality of life, symptoms or patient satisfaction between the modalities. Conclusions Of the patients 30% preferred and 60% were willing to use digital solutions as the primary follow-up method for early breast cancer during the first year. There is a need to develop digital services for the follow-up of breast cancer.