Development of Mobile Application Based System for Improving Population Based Cancer Screening by Community Health Workers.

Objective: Cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, with India experiencing a significant cancer burden. Effective population-based cancer screening is crucial for early detection and reduction of cancer-related deaths. This study aims to develop a mobile application-based Cancer Screening and Surveillance System (CSMS) to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of population-based cancer screening by community health workers (CHWs).

Methods: An applied research approach was employed, integrating traditional cancer screening procedures with a newly developed mobile application system. The CSMS includes an Android-based mobile application and a web portal designed for real-time data collection, monitoring, and rapid referral of screen-positive cases. The system was piloted in the Cachar district of Assam and training sessions were conducted to equip CHWs with traditional cancer screening procedures and the necessary skills to utilize the mobile application for cancer screening.  199 CHWs were trained and screened eligible population of 73,630 individuals.

Results: The mobile application facilitated efficient data collection and synchronization with a central server, enabling timely referrals and follow-ups. The system supported comprehensive data management, ensuring patient privacy and data security. The pilot implementation demonstrated improved screening coverage and streamlined referral processes, highlighting the system's potential to enhance cancer screening programs.

Conclusion: Mobile application-based Cancer Screening and Surveillance System provides a cost-effective and robust solution for population-based cancer screening. The developed system can improve data accuracy, facilitate timely referral and aid in early detection of cancer. Further studies should be conducted to evaluate the impact of the developed system and its scalability in more diverse settings.