Researchers tested a new smartphone app called CUMACA-M designed to help women who have survived breast cancer for at least 5 years. These survivors often struggle with physical pain, emotional challenges, and confidence even after treatment ends. In this early test, 23 women used the app for 3 months. The good news: everyone loved how easy the app was to use, and nobody dropped out of the study. However, the app didn’t significantly improve their overall quality of life or confidence in managing their health during this short test period. The researchers say the app shows promise but needs more testing with larger groups over longer periods.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Does a new health app help breast cancer survivors who finished treatment at least 5 years ago feel better and more confident managing their health?
  • Who participated: 23 women with an average age of 53 years who had been diagnosed with breast cancer and were cancer-free for at least 5 years. All participants were recruited from a breast cancer support organization in Spain.
  • Key finding: The app was very easy to use (scoring 80.8 out of 100 for usability) and everyone who started the study finished it. However, after 3 months, there were no major improvements in overall quality of life or confidence in managing their health, though one small area (spiritual well-being) showed a slight decline.
  • What it means for you: If you’re a long-term breast cancer survivor, this app appears safe and user-friendly, but don’t expect it to dramatically change how you feel in just 3 months. The researchers need to test it longer and with more people before making strong claims about its benefits.

The Research Details

This was a pilot study, which means it was a small, early test of a new idea. Researchers recruited 23 women from a breast cancer support organization in Spain who had survived breast cancer for at least 5 years. Each woman used the CUMACA-M app for 3 months. Before and after using the app, the women answered questions about their quality of life and how confident they felt managing their health. The researchers also asked women what they thought about the app’s ease of use and which features they liked best.

The study measured two main things: feasibility (could the app actually work in real life?) and acceptability (did people like using it?). Feasibility was checked by seeing how many people signed up and how many finished the study. Acceptability was measured using a standard questionnaire about how easy the app was to use, plus open-ended questions asking women what they thought.

For the health outcomes, researchers used two established measurement tools: one that measures quality of life in cancer survivors and another that measures confidence in managing chronic health conditions. They compared the scores from before the study started to the scores after 3 months of using the app.

This research approach is important because many breast cancer survivors struggle long after treatment ends, but we don’t have many tools designed specifically for them. Before spending money on a large, expensive study, researchers need to know if an app is actually usable and if people will stick with it. This pilot study answers those basic questions. It’s like testing a new recipe with a small group of friends before making it for a big party.

This study has both strengths and important limitations. The strength is that everyone who started the study finished it (100% completion rate), which is excellent and suggests the app didn’t frustrate people. The app’s usability score of 80.8 out of 100 is considered excellent by standard measures. However, the study is quite small with only 23 women, which means the results might not apply to all breast cancer survivors. The study only lasted 3 months, which may not be long enough to see real changes in how people feel. There was no comparison group (like women who didn’t use the app), so we can’t be sure the app itself caused any changes. The researchers themselves note these limitations and say bigger, longer studies are needed.

What the Results Show

The main finding is that the CUMACA-M app appears to be feasible and acceptable for long-term breast cancer survivors. All 23 women who started the study completed it, showing excellent retention. The app scored 80.8 out of 100 on the System Usability Scale, which experts consider excellent—this means the app was very easy to navigate and understand.

When asked about specific features, women were most satisfied with the health advice section of the app. They felt the nutrition and physical activity modules (sections) needed some improvements, suggesting the app developers should focus on making those areas more helpful and engaging.

Regarding the main health outcomes, the results were mixed. The overall quality of life scores didn’t change significantly from before to after using the app for 3 months. Similarly, women’s confidence in managing their health didn’t improve significantly. However, there was one small change: women’s spiritual well-being scores actually decreased slightly, which was unexpected and worth noting.

The fact that no one dropped out of the study is particularly important. It shows that the app didn’t frustrate people or feel like a burden, which is a good sign for a health intervention.

One notable secondary finding was the decrease in the spiritual well-being subscale score. This wasn’t expected and suggests that either the app’s content related to spiritual health needs adjustment, or that 3 months wasn’t enough time to see improvements in this area. The detailed feedback about which app features worked well and which needed improvement provides valuable guidance for future versions. Women appreciated the health advice module most, suggesting that evidence-based health information is valued by this population.

This is one of the first studies to test a digital health app specifically designed for long-term breast cancer survivors, so there isn’t much previous research to compare it to directly. However, other studies have shown that digital health apps can help people with various chronic conditions feel more confident managing their health. This study suggests that breast cancer survivors may benefit from similar tools, but the lack of significant improvements in this short pilot study is consistent with other research showing that behavior change and improved well-being typically take longer than 3 months to develop.

The study has several important limitations that readers should understand. First, it’s very small with only 23 women, so the results might not apply to all breast cancer survivors—especially those from different countries, age groups, or backgrounds. Second, the study only lasted 3 months, which may not be long enough to see real improvements in quality of life or confidence. Third, there was no control group (women who didn’t use the app), so we can’t be completely sure that any changes were caused by the app itself rather than other factors in their lives. Fourth, all participants were from Spain and recruited through one organization, so the results might not apply to survivors in other places. Finally, the study didn’t follow up with participants after they stopped using the app, so we don’t know if any benefits would last.

The Bottom Line

Based on this early research, the CUMACA-M app appears safe and user-friendly for long-term breast cancer survivors (confidence level: moderate). If you’re a breast cancer survivor interested in digital health tools, this app may be worth trying, especially if you value having health information and support readily available on your phone. However, don’t expect dramatic changes in how you feel within the first few months. Consider using it as one part of a broader approach to your health that might include talking with your doctor, connecting with support groups, and other wellness activities. The app developers should focus on improving the nutrition and physical activity sections based on user feedback.

This research is most relevant to women who have survived breast cancer for at least 5 years and are looking for digital tools to support their health and well-being. It may also interest healthcare providers who work with cancer survivors, app developers creating health tools, and researchers studying digital health interventions. People who are still in active cancer treatment or within the first 5 years after treatment should consult their doctors before using this app, as it was designed specifically for long-term survivors. The findings are less relevant to men with breast cancer or people in other countries unless the app is adapted for their specific needs.

Based on this study, you shouldn’t expect to notice major improvements in how you feel within 3 months of using the app. Quality of life and confidence in managing health typically improve gradually over longer periods—usually 6 months to a year or more. However, you might notice improvements in specific areas sooner, such as having better access to health information or feeling more supported. The fact that all study participants stuck with the app suggests it’s engaging enough to use regularly, which is the first step toward any potential benefits.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your overall well-being weekly using a simple 1-10 scale (1 = struggling, 10 = feeling great). Also note which app features you use most and which ones you find most helpful. This gives you concrete data to see if the app is making a difference for you personally, even if research studies show small changes.
  • Start by exploring the health advice module since study participants found it most helpful. Set a goal to use the app at least 3-4 times per week for the first month to get comfortable with it. Then gradually explore the nutrition and physical activity sections, and provide feedback to the developers about what would make these sections more useful for you.
  • Use the app consistently for at least 6 months (longer than the 3-month study period) to give it a fair chance to impact your well-being. Every month, rate how you’re feeling overall and note any changes in your energy, mood, or confidence in managing your health. Keep a simple journal of which app features you used and how they helped you. Share your experience with your healthcare provider to see if they notice any improvements in your health during your regular check-ups.

This research is a small pilot study and should not be considered definitive medical advice. The findings are preliminary and based on only 23 participants over 3 months. If you are a breast cancer survivor considering using this app or making any changes to your health routine, please consult with your oncologist or primary care physician first. This app is not a substitute for professional medical care, mental health counseling, or treatment from your healthcare team. The lack of significant improvements in this study does not mean the app is ineffective—it may simply mean longer testing periods and larger groups are needed. Individual results may vary significantly from the study findings.