Developing an mHealth Application to Improve Cancer Chemotherapy Symptom Management

Developing an mHealth Application to Improve Cancer Chemotherapy Symptom Management

This research project addresses critical gaps in cancer symptom management through the creation of a mobile chemotherapy symptom management application. This application will assess for the presence and severity of common chemotherapy side-effects and provide personally tailored symptom-related video and narratives to enhance self-management of cancer and treatment-related symptoms. This study will examine patient acceptance and use of this mHealth application (called MyChemoCare) in a prospective trial of cancer patients (n=60) who are receiving chemotherapy for colorectal cancer at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer
• Expected to live at least 6 months
• Initiating chemotherapy for the first time in their treatment history
• Physically and mentally able to participate
• Able to read English
• Willing and able to sign informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• A treatment plan that does not include cytotoxic chemotherapy for colon or rectal cancer
• A medical history that includes cancer with the exception of in situ cancers of the cervix and basal cell cancers of the skin
• A current diagnosis that includes multiple cancers (this does not exclude metastatic disease)
• Received prior cytotoxic chemotherapy for any reason
• A diagnosed psychiatric disorder