Guidelines for a cancer prevention smartphone application: A mixed-methods study

• Behaviour tracking and goal setting should be included in a cancer prevention app.
• Tailored information is an important feature in cancer prevention.
• Usefulness and easiness of use are important for long-term use.
• Gamification features aren’t considered important for long-term use.
• A guideline set for the development of a cancer prevention app is proposed.

ObjectivesThis study sought to explore the views and experiences of healthy young adults concerning the fundamental features of a cancer prevention smartphone app that seeks behaviour change.MethodsThree focus groups were conducted with 16 healthy young adults that explored prior experiences, points of view and opinions about currently available health-related smartphone apps. Then, an online questionnaire was designed and applied to a larger sample of healthy young adults. Focus group and online questionnaire data were analysed and confronted.ResultsStudy results identified behaviour tracking, goal setting, tailored information and use of reminders as the most desired features in a cancer prevention app. Participants highlighted the importance of privacy and were reluctant to share personal health information with other users. The results also point out important dimensions to be considered for long-term use of health promotion apps related with usability and perceived usefulness. Participants didn’t consider gamification features as important dimensions for long-term use of apps.ConclusionsThis study allowed the definition of a guideline set for the development of a cancer prevention app.