JMIR Cancer

Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) face significant challenges in accessing coordinated care due to the complexity and multimodality of their treatment and the impact on vital functions. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted cancer care while accelerating the adoption of digital health solutions. Mobile health (mHealth) apps offer potential solutions for remote symptom monitoring, communication between patients and providers, and continuity of care. Nevertheless, their acceptance among patients with HNC remains limited due to age-related digital divides and concerns about accessibility.

Residents in persistent poverty areas experience higher cancer mortality due to social determinants of health that negatively affect multiple factors, including health behaviors.

There is a growing interest in characterizing the relationship between long-term physical activity (PA) habits and cancer-related outcomes such as treatment-related toxicities, recurrence, and complications. Wearable devices can provide critical information to achieve this goal; however, inferences are significantly influenced by device wear adherence.

Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a common psychological disorder among patients with cancer. In patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer, fear and concern about recurrence often influence treatment decision-making. However, the prevalence of FCR before treatment and its key risk factors—such as age, sleep quality, economic status, self-disclosure, and social support—remain unclear.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a challenging disease to treat due to rapid progression, development of chemoresistance, and discrepancies in outcomes between real-world data and clinical trials. There is a lack of comprehensive analyses in other studies with regard to intermediate events and the treatment process, such as treatment decisions, progression of disease, and the occurrence of adverse events (AEs) over time.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping oncology, offering advancements in clinical care and patient support. A growing area of interest is the integration of empathic AI: systems integrating clinical precision with emotional intelligence to support medical decision-making and the emotional and psychosocial well-being of patients and caregivers.

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

People with cancer often experience unmet needs during treatment and survivorship, which can impact their ability to carry out daily tasks, reduce their quality of life, and limit their participation in work and social activities. Cancer Coach by CancerAid (now known as Osara Health) is a digital health intervention designed to address these needs through a combination of synchronous telehealth coaching and an asynchronous mobile app that supports behavior change and emotional well-being.

Cancer survivors frequently face persistent nutrition-related challenges after treatment. Mobile health tools may extend access to dietary self-management support beyond clinic settings, but feasibility and preliminary effects remain insufficiently characterized in this population.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening hyperinflammatory syndrome that requires rapid diagnosis and intervention. However, identifying these patients is difficult because the HLH-2004 diagnostic criteria are complex and not always captured systematically in electronic health records (EHRs). Furthermore, it is unclear how clinicians use these criteria to diagnose HLH and make treatment decisions. There is a critical need for validated computable phenotypes to accurately identify patients and study treatment-related outcomes in HLH.

Melanoma, a highly aggressive form of skin cancer, is the second most common type of cancer for adolescent and young adult (AYA, ages 15-39 years) patients. AYA patients with melanoma may turn to internet sources, especially artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, to manage uncertainty about prognosis and treatment.

Published evidence on patient experiences, perceptions, and challenges related to early breast cancer (eBC) in Italy is limited. Understanding these aspects is critical for improving diagnosis, treatment outcomes, and quality of life (QoL).