Breamy: An augmented reality mHealth prototype for surgical
decision-making in breast cancer
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer, affecting
approximately 1 in 8 women during their lifetime. Deciding on breast
cancer treatment, which includes the choice between surgical options,
frequently demands prompt decision-making within an 8-week timeframe.
However, many women lack the necessary knowledge and preparation for
making informed decisions. Anxiety and unsatisfactory outcomes can
result from inadequate decision-making processes, leading to decisional
regret and revision surgeries. Shared decision-making and personalized
decision aids have shown positive effects on patient satisfaction and
treatment outcomes. We introduce Breamy, a prototype mobile health
application that utilizes augmented reality (AR) technology to assist
breast cancer patients in making more informed decisions. Breamy
provides 3D visualizations of different surgical 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 patients’ anxiety levels and assist them in
decision-making.