is an all-inclusive recovery-centric approach to breast cancer caregiving and recovery proposing a systemic strategy that enables
responsive caregiving and remote monitoring to downsize the trauma, forster interpersonal relationships and address the social stigma attached to the disease.
PARTNER : National Institute of Design + IDC School of Design, IIT
KEYWORDS : Research, Systems Thinking, Healthcare Tech, Strategy
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer in women around the world, accounting for one quarter of all cancers that affect women. By definition,
breast cancer refers to a medical condition during which abnormal breast cells grow out of control and form tumours. Breast cancer cells originate in the milk-producing lobules of the breast and in their early form can be detected and cured. However, when they are left unchecked, they can spread to adjacent tissues, form malignant tumours and prove fatal.
This project reports research that was carried out in an academic pursuit for answers to queries encapsulating the social perception and aftermath of breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery - emphasizing on the affiliated healthcare system and strategies for effective caregiving, healthy coping and holistic healing mechanisms within the Indian context.
This project employs a Systems Design Thinking approach, acknowledging the plurality of the problem to identify gaps, appropriate opportunity areas and strategic touchpoints to alleviate the challenges.
The study was aimed at analysing and addressing the disease as a cumulative concern, instead of singularly scrutinizing it through a clinical lens.
It was undertaken with the intent of urging practitioners and caregivers to intervene and
innovate at three identified and overlapping
target phases of the journey
- Statistical Data (from Research Government & Industry Reports, etc.)
- Literature Review (from Academic Journals, Research Papers, Expert Blogs & Articles)
- Industry & Stakeholder Analysis (from Cancer Institutes/Organisations, Market Solutions)
- Anecdotal Study (from oncologists, past patients and stakeholders sharing their
experience through blogs, interviews, etc.)
1. Journey Mapping
2. Stakeholder Mapping
3. User Personas
4. Systems Map
RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS:
Group 1: Direct Stakeholders (n=19)
Including individuals directly involved in breast cancer journeys either playing the role of oncologists, breast cancer support group staff, breast cancer survivors, present patients or informalcaregivers (spouse, children and familial caregivers) of past and present breast cancer patients. This group
involved participants from an urban demographic with ages ranging from 21-65. This was carried out
in an effort to derive intimate reflections of personal journeys, drawbacks of the existing systems and services, and reveal the challenges with seeking counsel, support participation & coping strategies.
Methods: 1-on-1 Interviews, Qualitative Questionnaire Survey
Group 2: Indirect Stakeholders (n=20)
Involved a group consisting of general participants, urban males and females, ranging from 20 to 24 years. The participants were involved to measure the knowledge, perception and reaction towards
the condition. The exercise probed an internal dialogue about comfort in one’s own skin and breasts
as fundamental aspects of femininity. The data collection activities and tools used during the workshop included envisioning ‘what-if’ scenarios, metaphor-centred drawing excercises and empathy mapping.
Methods: Awareness & Scenario Workshop, Qualitative Survey
For detailed accounts of the research responses, key insights and conclusion, kindly refer to the research paper - The Cancer Positive Journey: A System Design Thinking Perspective
Cancer Positive is an awareness, caregiving and recovery oriented platform, which provides a systemic solution to downsize the trauma
of the illness,
foster interpersonal relationships and minimise the perceived and actual
stigma attached to breast cancer. The proffered system provides strategies
for accessible and responsive caregiving, remote monitoring, telemedicine
and behavioral modification by proposing an allocated breast cancer data
unit. The Cancer Positive approach primarily elaborates on the need of an
all-inclusive recovery-centric approach instead of a mere survival
outlook towards the life-threatening disease.
1. Cancer Positive Data Unit - Adopting IoT and multi-device ecosystems, patient and caregiver data is collected to provide personalised guidelines, encourage healthy coping mechanisms and foster interpersonal relationships to make caregiving more accessible, responsive and effective. The data collected also helps inform. It uses real time data interpretation to provide immediate and accurate healthcare by developing several closely knit ecosystems including the patient, caregiver and medical practitioner, enabling remote monitoring, telemedicine and behaviour modification. Additionally, the data provided is anonymised to help formulate efficient modules for the training and development of of healthcare professionals and caregivers.
2. Cancer Positive Collective - is a community-driven collective and curative movement dedicated towards revolutionizing the social perception towards breast cancer and those diagnosed as cancer positive by encouraging and connecting positives from various walk of life to share personal experiences and reflect on their journeys and lives post cancer.