Mobile Applications for Oncology in Brazil: Evaluation of Quality, Content, and Implications for Nursing

Avaliação da qualidade, conteúdo e implicações para a enfermagem

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35699/2316-9389.2026.64418

Keywords:

Mobile Applications, Health Education, Oncology Nursing, Oncology, Telemedicine

Abstract

Objective: To identify and evaluate the technical quality, usability, and scope of content of mobile applications for oncology health education in Brazil and their implications for Nursing. Methods: A descriptive and exploratory study with a quantitative approach, conducted on the Google Play Store and App Store platforms in 2025. The selection followed PRISMA guidelines; quality was assessed using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS), and content was analyzed according to the Cancer Control Continuum. Results: Eight applications were included, with a predominance of the English language (87.5%). The overall mean quality score (MARS) was 4.03 (good quality), with the app Kid’s Guide to Cancer achieving the highest score (4.68). Content was predominantly concentrated in the diagnosis and treatment phases, with gaps identified in prevention and palliative care. Conclusions: The applications demonstrate good technical functionality but lack cultural adaptation and engagement strategies tailored to the Brazilian population. Nursing professionals should assume a role in the curation and prescription of these technologies to mitigate digital exclusion.

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Author Biographies

  • Kauan Vinícius da Silva Nascimento, University of São Paulo

    Nursing student (Licentiate and Master’s degree) at the Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, University of São Paulo (EERP-USP) (2022–Present), with participation in research and extension projects in the fields of oncology health and palliative care. Research Collaborator in the Oncology Surgical Patients Study Group (GERPCO) (2022–Present), integrating the research team focused on nursing interventions for ostomized patients and perioperative rehabilitation. Scholarship holder of the Unified Scholarship Program for Support to Undergraduate Student Training (PUB-USP) (2022–2024), with emphasis on guidance and education in oncology.

    Currently serves as an Intern at the Department of Psychiatric Nursing and Human Sciences of EERP-USP (2024–Present), Director of Scientific Research and Founder of the Academic League of Nursing in Continuing Education (LAEEP) (2024–Present), Director of Communication and Marketing of the Interdisciplinary League of Palliative Care (LICP) (2023–Present), and First Treasurer of the Marina de Andrade Rezende Academic Center (CAMAR) (2024–Present).

    Holds a technical degree in Nursing and Administration. Participated as an extension scholarship holder at the Hospital das Clínicas of the Ribeirão Preto Medical School (HCFMRP), in a project focused on self-care education for ostomized patients and support for their families (2022–2024).

    Develops activities focused on palliative care, continuing health education, and projects aimed at teaching self-care to oncology patients. Has interest in oncology nursing, public health with emphasis on health education, care for vulnerable populations, and the development of technologies that promote patient autonomy in self-care and equity in access to health services.

  • Antonio Jorge Silva Correa Júnior, University of São Paulo

    Currently a PhD candidate in Sciences in the Graduate Program in Fundamental Nursing at the Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, University of São Paulo (EERP/USP), specifically in the research line Care of Adults and Older Adults. Holds a Master’s degree from the Graduate Program in Nursing at the Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Pará (PPGENF/ICS/UFPA), in the research line Health Policies and Nursing Care, as a CAPES scholarship holder (2017–2019). Graduated with a Full Licentiate and Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the Federal University of Pará (2016), serving as a scholarship holder in the Institutional Scientific Initiation Program (PIBIC) CAPES/CNPq (2014–2016).

    Member of research groups registered in the CNPq Research Groups Directory (IENPSAD, EPOTENA, and the Oncology Surgical Patients Rehabilitation Study Group of the Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing – University of São Paulo). Associate postgraduate member of the Society for Qualitative Studies and Research (SEPQ).

    Conducts research using different methodological designs focused on oncology, nursing, systematization of nursing care, palliative care, chronic degenerative diseases, and the repercussions of surgical treatment involving ostomy. Also demonstrates particular interest in the theoretical frameworks of the Anthropology of Health and Illness, Sociology in Health, and Interpretive Sociology of Health.

  • André Aparecido da Silva Teles, University of São Paulo

    PhD in Sciences from the Graduate Program in Fundamental Nursing at the Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, University of São Paulo (EERP-USP). Specialist in Teaching (Senac), Multiprofessional Preceptorship in Health (HMV – Proadi-SUS), and Enterostomal Therapy (FAMERP). Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Universidade Paulista.

    Has clinical experience as a Registered Nurse and technical manager, responsible for the management and delivery of nursing care to patients undergoing ambulatory surgeries, procedures in the operating room, and hospital admissions (pre- and postoperative periods) involving medium- and high-complexity surgeries, as well as clinical research.

    Research focuses on Perioperative Nursing and Oncology, with emphasis on perioperative nursing care, perioperative care for oncology patients, Colorectal Cancer (CRC), Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), ostomies, and rehabilitation of surgical and oncology patients.

    Member of the Oncology Surgical Patients Rehabilitation Study Group at EERP-USP, registered in the CNPq Research Groups Directory. Member of the Brazilian Association of Operating Room Nurses, Anesthetic Recovery, and Sterile Processing Department (SOBECC), the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), the American Nurses Association (ANA), and the Brazilian Association of Enterostomal Therapy (SOBEST).

    Currently serves as Professor (PhD level) at EERP-USP in the area of Surgical Nursing.

  • Janderson Cleiton Aguiar, University of São Paulo

    Holds a PhD in Health Sciences from the Graduate Program in Fundamental Nursing at the Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, University of São Paulo (EERP-USP) (2025). Earned a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (2007), a specialization in Enterostomal Therapy (2014), and a Master’s degree in Nursing (2017) from the Faculty of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto.

    Currently serves as a Faculty Member at União das Faculdades dos Grandes Lagos (UNILAGO), as a High School and Technical Education Professor at the Centro Estadual de Educação Tecnológica Paula Souza (CEETEPS) at ETEC Philadelpho Govêa Netto, and as an Enterostomal Therapy Nurse responsible for the Ostomy Care Service at the Specialized Rehabilitation Center of the Municipal Government of São José do Rio Preto.

    Has professional experience in Nursing, working primarily in the following areas: ostomies, adult and older adult health, nursing care, public health, and enterostomal therapy.

    Member of the Oncology Surgical Patients Rehabilitation Study Group at the Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing (EERP-USP), registered in the CNPq Research Groups Directory.

  • Camila Maria Silva Paraizo-Horvath, University of São Paulo

    PhD in Sciences from the Graduate Program in Fundamental Nursing at the University of São Paulo (USP–Ribeirão Preto). Holds a Master’s degree in Nursing from the School of Nursing of the Federal University of Alfenas (MG) and a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG). Works as a Nurse in the Medical Clinic Unit of the Hospital das Clínicas of the Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo.

    Member of the research group The Health-Disease Process from a Sociocultural Perspective at the Federal University of Alfenas since 2012; of the Oncology Surgical Patients Rehabilitation Study Group at the Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, University of São Paulo, since 2019; and of the Health Evidence Synthesis Research Group at the Federal University of Alfenas (MG).

    Has a professional and academic trajectory marked by the integration of teaching, research, extension, and clinical practice, guided by the principles of Primary Health Care (PHC) and the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). Research interests include Noncommunicable Chronic Diseases (NCDs), nursing care for individuals with NCDs, nursing care in Primary Health Care, public health, health education, continuing health education, and health promotion and prevention.

  • Helena Megumi Sonobe, University of São Paulo

    Graduated in Nursing from the University of São Paulo (1989). Specialized in Enterostomal Therapy Nursing at the School of Nursing, University of São Paulo (1995). Holds a Master’s degree (1996) and a PhD (2001) in Fundamental Nursing from the Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing – University of São Paulo (USP).

    Currently serves as an Associate Professor at the University of São Paulo. Coordinator of the Nursing Area and Vice Coordinator of the Multiprofessional Residency Program in Cancer Care at the Hospital das Clínicas of the Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (HCFMRP-USP).

    Reviewer for the following journals: Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem, Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem, Revista Eletrônica de Enfermagem, Texto & Contexto Enfermagem, Escola Anna Nery Revista de Enfermagem, Brazilian Journal of Enterostomal Therapy – Revista Estima, Bioscience Journal, Acta Paulista de Enfermagem, and Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP.

    Leader of the “Oncology Surgical Patients Rehabilitation Study Group” at the Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing – USP, and researcher in the Research Group Health-Disease Process from a Sociocultural Perspective at the Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL) and in the Research Group Nursing Interventions in the Health-Disease Process (IENPSAD) at the State University of Pará (UEPA).

    Has experience in Nursing, with emphasis on Enterostomal Therapy Nursing and Perioperative Nursing, particularly in colorectal diseases, oncology, and the training of human resources for nursing research.

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Published

2026-09-18

Issue

Vol. 30 (2026): Ahead of Print

Section

Research

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How to Cite

1.
Nascimento KV da S, Correa Júnior AJS, Teles AA da S, Aguiar JC, Paraizo-Horvath CMS, Sonobe HM. Mobile Applications for Oncology in Brazil: Evaluation of Quality, Content, and Implications for Nursing: Avaliação da qualidade, conteúdo e implicações para a enfermagem. REME Rev Min Enferm. [Internet]. 2026 Sep. 18 [cited 2026 Oct. 17];30. Available from: https://periodicos.ufmg.br/index.php/reme/article/view/64418

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