Saúde da Mulher: acompanhamento digital do rastreamento oncológico

Abstract

In the context of Women’s Health screening, cervical cancer remains a public health concern in Brazil, ranking as the third most common cancer among women, excluding non-melanoma skin tumors. With the ongoing advancement of mobile technologies, Mobile Health (mHealth) has emerged as a powerful tool for health promotion and disease prevention, offering the potential to transform cancer screening within women's healthcare by making it more accessible and efficient. Through virtual platforms and mobile applications, the performance of remote exams and consultations can significantly expand women's access to healthcare services, especially in remote or underserved regions. This progress may lead to earlier diagnoses, regular follow-ups, and greater awareness about the importance of screening, thereby contributing to the reduction of incidence and mortality associated with these diseases. Within the scope of this study, a software tool was developed for the automated reading of cervical cytology tests, using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology, aiming to automate cervical cancer screening. In the initial phase of the research, titled Software Development and Training, a database of preventive exam reports will be used to assess the software’s sensitivity and specificity, as well as to enhance its technological performance. Subsequently, in the Software Testing and Delivery and Usability Assessment phases, patients undergoing cervical cancer screening at the Cervical Pathology Outpatient Clinic of Pedro Ernesto University Hospital (HUPE) will have access to the mobile application, while requesting physicians will receive automatic email notifications for results flagged as positive by the software. This initiative aims to facilitate the delivery of cervical cytology reports through Care Notes, potentially reducing costs; increasing early diagnosis and decreasing the time to treatment initiation for altered cervical cancer results; and fostering greater awareness of women's health.