A Feasibility Study of Smart-Phone Application on Breast Self-Examination in Korea
Jaesung Heo, MD1, Mison Chun, MD, PhD1, Ki Young Lee, PhD2, Young-Taek Oh, MD, PhD1, O kyu Noh, MD, PhD1, Rae Woong Park, MD, PhD2,3,4
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Republic of Korea; 2Department of BiomedicalInformatics, Ajou University School of Medicine, Republic of Korea; 3Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America; 4Center for Pharmacoepidemiololgy Research and Training, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Journal MTM 2:4S:19, 2013
Abstract
Background Breast cancer patients who founded in early stage have a good prognosis. Females who practice breast self-examination (BSE) are usually diagnosed at an earlier stage than those who do not.
Aims The purpose of this study was to develop a smart-phone application to encourage BSE, and to evaluate the effects of mobile intervention in terms of improving breast self-examination behavior.
Methods A developed smart-phone application had several functions including a BSE date alarm, a reminder to encourage mother and daughter to practice BSE together, BSE record, and educational video clips. Females aged 19 and over were enrolled and two series of questionnaires were carried out (before and after using the application) between July and September 2012.
Results Forty five subjects (age 29.5 ± 5.9 years) were enrolled in the study. Of 45 participants, 28 (62.2%) had practiced BSE, and only one of these was carried out at the appropriate time, based on the results of the baseline survey. After using the application, the number of participants practicing BSE increased from 28 to 32 (62.2% to 71.1%; p = 0.503). In subgroup analysis (age <30 years), the number of participants using BSE increased from 8 to 18 (36.4% to 81.8%; p = 0.002), and the number of those using it at the appropriate time improved from 1 to 15 (2.2% to 33.3%, p <0.001).
Conclusions In female younger than 30 years, the developed smart-phone application increased BSE practice. To confirm the long-term effect of the mobile application and overcome difference in smart phone usage, further studies must be carried out.
