Client
American Cancer Society
Services
AI/Machine Learning, UX/UI, Mobile, Emerging Tech, and Healthcare
Cancer presents significant challenges to patients and caregivers, often creating a sense of isolation and hardship. Common obstacles include:
Navigating the complexities of healthcare systems.
Addressing logistical barriers, such as transportation and childcare.
Coping with social isolation and emotional strain.
The American Cancer Society recognized these pressing issues and sought to develop a comprehensive digital tool to empower cancer patients and their caregivers by providing personalized information, resources, and emotional support tailored to their unique needs.
Our Approach
Collaborative Development
CrossComm partnered closely with the American Cancer Society to design and develop ACS CARES (Community Access to Resources, Education, and Support), a mobile application that addresses the multifaceted challenges of cancer care. The app launched in 2023 and was enhanced in 2024 with advanced AI capabilities to further its impact.
Personalized Content and Resources
A user-centric onboarding process ensures that each app user receives customized educational materials and logistical support. This personalization considers variables such as geographic location, cancer type, and social circumstances, delivering content and recommendations that are directly relevant to the user’s situation.
Community Volunteer Matching
To combat feelings of isolation, ACS CARES connects patients and caregivers with trained volunteers who have shared similar experiences. Whether navigating rural healthcare systems or managing specific diagnoses, users are matched with peers who understand their journey, fostering meaningful emotional connections.
AI-Enhanced Features
In 2024, CrossComm integrated large language model (LLM) technology into ACS CARES, bringing:
Curated Information: Enhanced semantic search now allows the app to identify natural language inputs and understand the semantic meaning of ideas, bridging gaps between formal medical terminology and everyday language. This ensures users can find relevant content without needing exact predefined keywords.
Smarter Matching: Volunteer-patient matchmaking advanced from rules-based criteria (such as diagnosis type or demographic preferences) to semantic similarity searches. This new system considers patients' and volunteers' shared life stories and unique circumstances, fostering deeper, more meaningful connections.
Risk Mitigation for AI
User trust and safety were paramount throughout the development process. CrossComm took steps to ensure the AI delivered reliable information, avoided misinformation, and upheld the app's commitment to enhancing the user experience.
The Results
ACS CARES has redefined support for cancer patients and caregivers, delivering measurable impact:
Improved Accessibility: Essential resources and support are now within reach for users in remote or underserved communities.
Enhanced Emotional Support: Through matched volunteers, patients and caregivers experience empathy and guidance, reducing feelings of isolation.
Streamlined Healthcare Navigation: Targeted resources and actionable recommendations save users time and effort, easing their journey through the healthcare system.
Future Possibilities
Building on its success, the ACS CARES app is exploring new features to further enhance patient care, including:
AI-driven question prompts to help patients engage more effectively with their doctors.
Sentiment analysis to detect emotional shifts and proactively address concerns.
Chatbots with long-term memory to support patients throughout their journeys in a longitudinal manner.
AI agents to assist with decisions, such as booking free lodging or rides provided by the American Cancer Society and accessing new clinical trials.
By continuously innovating, the ACS CARES app exemplifies the potential of technology to drive positive change in healthcare, setting a new standard for patient and caregiver support.
ACS CARES demonstrates the transformative power of innovation and collaboration in healthcare. By combining the American Cancer Society's expertise with CrossComm's technical capabilities, this initiative has set a new standard for patient and caregiver support in cancer care.
Are you ready to leverage technology to tackle complex challenges? CrossComm is here to help. Tell us more and receive a free consultation from CrossComm.