Background

The use of mobile apps in oncology has been expanding rapidly, encompassing prevention, treatment, and patient support. These technologies hold significant potential to improve care delivery and enhance the efficiency of health care services. However, their integration into clinical practice faces important challenges. A key issue lies in the difficulties health care professionals (HCPs) encounter when selecting apps that adequately meet their specific needs and comply with appropriate standards of quality and clinical effectiveness. This lack of robust evidence on the availability, adoption, and evaluation of mobile apps designed for cancer care professionals not only hinders their wider adoption but also restricts their potential to serve as reliable tools in oncology practice.

Objective

This study aims to map the landscape of free mobile apps for cancer prevention, treatment, therapy, or support for HCPs, and assess the quality of the apps identified.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted on Google Play and Apple App Store in June 2023 and December 2024 using predefined oncology- and professional-related keywords, following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Two independent reviewers (DL and AC) assessed the selected apps using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS), which evaluates engagement, functionality, aesthetics, information quality, and subjective quality on a 5-point Likert scale. Discrepancies in ratings were resolved by a third reviewer. Descriptive statistics summarized the app quality and characteristics.

Results

Out of 221 apps initially identified, 20 met the inclusion criteria and were evaluated. Most apps (15/20, 75%) supported both Android and iOS platforms, with 90% (18/20) commercially developed. The mean overall MARS score was 3.51 (SD 0.54), indicating moderate quality but with room for improvement. Only 2 apps, ONCOassist (Portable Medical Technology Ltd.) (mean 4.25, SD 0.26) and Oncology Board Review (mean 4.03, SD 0.39), surpassed the threshold of 4.0, considered good quality. ONCOassist stood out for its comprehensive functionality and high information quality, offering clinical decision support tools such as treatment protocols, prognostic calculators, and toxicity grading aligned with professional oncology practice. Prevention and support apps generally scored lower, particularly in engagement and interactive features. No app achieved a high score across all MARS domains.

Conclusions

The study highlights a fragmented landscape of free mobile apps for cancer care professionals, with predominantly low to moderate quality and limited evidence to support clinical effectiveness. ONCOassist emerges as a promising tool warranting further investigation. This underscores the urgent need for standardized evaluation frameworks, regulatory oversight, and sustainable development strategies to ensure the creation and adoption of reliable, evidence-based digital health tools in oncology.