Enhancing cancer care: strategies for improved patient outcomes

Abstract

Cancer remains a leading cause of death in Bangladesh, where systemic challenges such as limited infrastructure, high treatment costs, and lack of access to specialists hinder timely and effective care. This study addresses these challenges by proposing and developing a mobile health (mHealth) platform designed specifically for cancer patients in Bangladesh. Informed by a qualitative study involving 32 participants including patients, caregivers, and oncologists. The research explores existing gaps in cancer care delivery, such as delays in emergency response, fragmented communication, and insufficient patient involvement. Key themes and subthemes were derived from interviews and surveys, highlighting the need for stronger doctor–patient communication, improved staging practices, and robust data protection mechanisms. Based on these findings, we developed a digital health prototype that includes a real-time communication module using WebRTC, a TNM-based cancer staging system integrated via API from a clinical database, a rule-based severity tagging module for patient triage, and secure, role-based authentication using token-based mechanisms. The platform allows patients to request consultations, submit symptom data through structured questionnaires, upload reports, and receive prioritized care based on clinical urgency, all while ensuring data privacy through time-limited session storage. Designed with culturally sensitive and accessible UI considerations for users of all background, this system demonstrates the potential of context-aware, scalable digital solutions to enhance clinical outcomes, reduce systemic burdens, and improve the overall patient experience in cancer diagnosis and care. Our findings contribute to the growing field of digital oncology by bridging qualitative user insight with system-level design and implementation.