JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Mobile health (mHealth) applications promise enhancing patient empowerment, enabling real-time health monitoring, and supporting self-management. Patients with breast cancer stand to benefit particularly from these capabilities, given the demanding pre- and post-treatment procedures they face. However, the effective adoption of these tools is challenged by issues including accessibility, usability limitations, and privacy concerns.

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate the current usage behavior and attitudes towards mobile health apps among patients with breast cancer in Germany. Specifically, we aimed to identify the incentives and barriers influencing current use and the intention to use mHealth applications to guide their further implementation and use.

Methods:

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire developed in German. The survey targeted individuals with a breast cancer diagnosis. Topics included technology and health app usage, perceived usefulness, personal empowerment, and attitudes toward data sharing.

Results:

We collected responses from 90 participants with breast cancer. Participants demonstrated high engagement with digital technology: 96.7 % reported daily smartphone use, and 70.0 % owned a smartwatch or fitness tracker. Approximately 66.7 % of respondents had used health apps in the past year, with many relying on general fitness and lifestyle applications to support their health management. Health apps were generally perceived as useful, with users highlighting their ability to provide continuous support and timely, reliable health information. This, in turn, was seen as instrumental in promoting self-management and empowerment. Respondents also showed a conditional willingness to share personal health data for research, particularly when clear benefits for treatment advancements were evident. Nonetheless, concerns were raised regarding data privacy, app usability, the need for multiple apps to cover all necessary features, and the potential increase of fear of illness (cyberchondria).

Conclusions:

The findings underscore the potential of mHealth applications to empower breast cancer patients by improving health literacy and supporting self-management. To maximize their impact, future digital health tools must align closely with patient needs by incorporating adaptive, interactive features and integrating seamlessly with clinical care. Addressing key barriers—particularly data privacy and usability issues—is essential for broader adoption. Longitudinal studies are warranted to evaluate the long-term effects of health app usage on patient empowerment, quality of life, and clinical outcomes.