Addressing Information Overload in Individuals with Breast Cancer Post-Diagnosis through a Personalised AI-Based Companion

Abstract

Cancer is a complex disease marked by uncontrolled cell growth and has a widespread impact on individuals and society. Its incidence has been increasing globally, with a notable rise in cases in the Netherlands from 56,000 in 1989 to 118,000 in 2019. There will be approximately 232,000 new cancer diagnoses by 2032 (Source: iknl.nl).

Breast cancer, the most frequently diagnosed cancer among females worldwide, is a significant concern amid rising cancer rates (WHO, 2024). In the Netherlands, it is among the most prevalent cancers, with 15,634 cases reported in 2023 (NKR Viewer, n.d.). Despite significant advancements in diagnosis and treatment, cancer remains a severe and multifaceted challenge and impacts individuals, their families, and society as a whole. For individuals, the illness inflicts significant physical harm, manifesting as chronic pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, and other symptoms that drastically reduce quality of life. The psychological and emotional toll is equally profound, with individuals and their loved ones experiencing intense fear, anxiety, and stress (Costa et al., 2016). Following a diagnosis, individuals encounter a flood of information related to their condition, treatment options, supportive care resources, medical regimens, etc. making it overwhelming and complex. This complexity is amplified in breast cancer due to the multitude of subtypes and variants, accompanied by a wealth of information accessible online.

While healthcare providers strive to communicate information effectively through verbal and written formats for the individuals to navigate in this unfamiliar world, their time constraints and workload frequently restrict the depth of support they can offer. This results in individuals turning to gather information from diverse sources, such as online platforms, family, friends, etc. This decentralised approach is unavoidable and offers diverse views resulting in complexity, ambiguity, and confusion and leading to “information overload”. Information overload is a multi-dimensional construct and a complex phenomenon and usually occurs when the available information surpasses one’s capacity to absorb it effectively. There are several factors that cause information overload and these factors result into intertwined effects like inability to effectively process, understand and utilise the information, etc.

Given the prevalence, the focus of the study is on breast cancer in women and aims to address these challenges by supporting them in understanding the complexities of the cancer diagnosis and treatment options based on their preferred level of involvement, ultimately enabling them to make informed decisions in their care journey. The findings from this project can benefit the healthcare system as a whole, the stakeholders involved, including individuals with breast cancer, their companions, and healthcare providers, by equipping them with the support tools to navigate and understand the healthcare journey. Furthermore, it can provide the necessary information support to individuals post-diagnosis, alleviate the burden on healthcare providers and strengthen communication between providers and patients.