Breamy: An augmented reality mHealth prototype for surgical decision-making in breast cancer

TL;DR

Breamy is an AR-based mHealth prototype designed to aid breast cancer patients in surgical decision-making by providing 3D visualizations, aiming to reduce anxiety and improve satisfaction.

Contribution

This paper introduces Breamy, a novel augmented reality mobile app that enhances surgical decision-making for breast cancer patients through visual aids.

Findings

Breamy potentially reduces patient anxiety.

Participants found Breamy useful for decision support.

Positive perception of AR visualization in medical decisions.

Abstract

In 2020, according to WHO, breast cancer affected 2.3 million women worldwide, resulting in 685,000 fatalities. By the end of the year, approximately 7.8 million women worldwide had survived their breast cancer making it the most widespread form of cancer globally. Surgical treatment decisions, including choosing between oncoplastic options, often require quick decision-making within an 8-week time frame. However, many women lack the necessary knowledge and preparation for making such complex informed decisions. Anxiety and unsatisfactory outcomes can result from inadequate decision-making processes, leading to complications and the need for revision surgeries. Shared decision-making and personalized decision aids have shown positive effects on patient satisfaction and treatment outcomes. This paper introduces Breamy, a prototype mobile health (mHealth) application that utilizes augmented reality (AR) technology to assist breast cancer patients in making informed decisions. The app provides 3D visualizations of different oncoplastic procedures, aiming to improve confidence in surgical decision-making, reduce decisional regret, and enhance patient well-being after surgery. To determine the perception of the usefulness of Breamy, we collected data from 166 participants through an online survey. The results suggest that Breamy has the potential to reduce patient's anxiety levels and assist them during the decision-making process.