Researchers conducted a systematic review of publicly available cancer-focused apps on the four major smartphone platforms (iPhone, Android, Nokia and Blackberry). A total of 295 apps were included in the review, along with corresponding literature from MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library.
The review found the most common purpose of the apps was to raising awareness about cancer (32.2 percent), followed by providing information about cancer (26.4 percent), supporting cancer-related fundraising efforts (12.0 percent), assisting in early detection (11.5 percent), promoting a specific charity (10.2 percent), supporting disease management (3.7 percent), aiding in cancer prevention (2 percent) or facilitating social support services (1 percent).
In addition to the relatively small number of prevention, treatment or management apps, none of the literature included in the review provided information on the effectiveness, usefulness or safety of the apps.
The researchers advocate for additional efforts in this area, ideally cumulating with the creation of a whitepaper for public consumption with evidence-based evaluations of available apps.
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