to develop an application in android platform, a virtual E-. Medic system for screening breast cancer in its early stage, before proceeding for further tests, which ...
WAIMS© World Academy of Informatics and Management Sciences, Vol 2 Issue 5, August‐September 2013 ISSN (online):2278‐1315 www.waims.co.in
DESIGN AND DEVELOP AN ANDROID APPLICATION FOR VIRTUAL E‐MEDIC SYSTEM FOR SELF SCREENING OF BREAST CANCER G.B.Anuradha, Joseph George, Dr.M.Madiajagan Bits Pilani‐Dubai,Dubai International Academic City, Dubai. ABSTRACT: Design and develop an architectural model for implementing a Virtual E‐Medic system for BSE (Breast Self Examination) in the early stage to rule out the possibility or to go for further tests and treatment. A prototype model can be developed and the design shall be implemented in a real‐time environment. The application will prompt the user to enter the symptoms after the self examination on a particular day of every month in the device such as a smart phone or a gadget, if any noticeable changes are discovered the application will analyze and display the results and for the possibility of breast cancer symptoms and notify the user for further clinical examination. The results can also be stored in the local database. The Pictures of the skin samples are analyzed and changes or abnormalities are detected and notified to the user. This Architectural model can be implemented in android OS environment as if offers advantages such as open source, multitasking, custom Firmware and upgradable OS. Keywords: BSE, Custom Firmware, Virtual E‐medic, BYOD
I.
potential risk which can spread to the other parts of the body if left unattended or moreover not detected early. To achieve this process, BSE is an important factor. Not every cancer is detected through this way, but becomes an important factor in early detection. According to Breastcancer.org BSE is a useful and essential tool in early detection in lowering the risk and also increases the chance of surviving the disease [1].
II. TIPS ON BSE: Examine the breasts once a month likely in a day which is 7-8 days after the periods end. • Look for some unusual lumps or thickening of skin in the upper, lower or the under arm area of the breast. • A change in the size, shape, or contour of the breast • • •
INTRODUCTION
Breast cancer affects one in eight women and is termed as the most common cause of death among women. Early breast cancer is usually asymptomatic without pain and discomfort. Mostly women try to ignore the early symptoms and it becomes difficult and nearly impossible to cure at later stages. In this tech‐ savvy world smart phones are indispensible part of our lives which makes the routine tasks very simple and saves lot of time and effort[6]. Especially smart phones with android OS gives a great platform for creating apps and also it is an open market for distributing them instantly. This analysis led me to develop an application in android platform, a virtual E‐ Medic system for screening breast cancer in its early stage, before proceeding for further tests, which will greatly help women in early detection which is the key for recovery. Breast cancer is a tumor which is malignant which is caused by the abnormal growth of cells. The tumor can be benign which is not dangerous or it can be a
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A mass or lump, which may feel as small as a pea A marble‐like area under the skin A change in the feel or appearance of the skin on the breast or nipple (dimpled, puckered, scaly, or inflamed) Bloody or clear fluid discharge from the nipples Redness of the skin on the breast or nipple
The BSE shall begin at the age of 20 and should be carried out every month on the same day [6].
III.
TRENDS IN MOBILE COMPUTING
As mobile applications are part of life due to the concept of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trend, all day to day applications involve mobile computing. In addition, these mobile application strategies will be integrated into existing devices which will create efficient, unified and user friendly approach to manage tasks. Mobile computing has affected our day to day routines Signifi‐ cantly, people check and respond to emails more often the mobile phones than on other devices. To list a few
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advantages and benefits of smart phones which uses this mobile computing are as follows • Make task or to‐do lists • Monitor appointments and set reminders • Save contact information • Use the built‐in calculator for simple math as well as scientific applications • Send or receive e‐mail with /without attachments • Play games • Get information (news, entertainment, stock information, weather reports) from the Internet • Watch videos online channels • Send and receive text messages • Integrate other devices such as PDAs, MP3 players and GPS receivers • Take pictures and share them • Record voice messages • Record videos • Transfer and receive files using Bluetooth, GPRS or other forms of technology • Create presentations for official purpose etc. It is very clear from the above advantages that the conventional mobile phone which were used for calling and texting purpose is replaced with the smart phones and the market analysis clearly shows the transfer from the conventional cell phones to smart phones which uses the tends of mobile computing.
IV.
IDENTIFYING THE CHALLENGES AND OPENISSUES
Breast cancer accounts for 19‐34% of all cancer cases among women. There is high mortality due to late stage diagnosis as patients usually present at an advanced stage because of lack of awareness and nonexistent breast cancer screening programs. Early detection and prompt treatment offer the greatest chance of long‐term survival and breast self‐examination (BSE) seems to be a important viable optional substitute for early detection of cancer. Fact Most women tend to ignore the importance of self examination due to lack of awareness, time constraint due to day to day busy schedule and some other known and unknown factors [1]. The purpose of BSE is to learn the topography of the breast and regular examination will
prompt the user to know the changes and localize the changes for further treatment. In this report I have discussed the wide usage and the popularity of Android OS based devices which can be used to develop an application which will help in the regular monitoring and screening of the breast cancer. A multimedia application is not in use now which can be developed through this platform. The application includes a useful video with advice for self examination for early detection of breast cancer at home. This may include the features of a remainder on the particular day of every month, an explanatory video, a facility tosend email to get expert advice, Informative text about breast cancer in general which can have the symptoms and other common factors. This application can offer health information for general educational and informational purposes only. It will guide the user to perform regular checkup and keep them in the loop which the studies stated as an important and vital step in reducing the death rate due to breast cancer. The application of the self examination methods does not replace the examination by a breast cancer specialist[3]. But this application will guide the user to go for further tests and take medical help or to confirm the user is in the safe zone. Also the application will provide the List of oncology centers in the region and help to fix up an appointment with the available centers. The UAE government is predicting 95% of the total population to use smart phones by the end of 2013, and trying to renew the emirates id through the smart phone applications. This clearly shows where the world is heading to,. So the technology can be used for the biggest problem of self examination which is the main and basic step of Breast cancer treatment which is the vital step in curing the disease. The application which I intend to develop in android OS platform can be used in smart phones, tablets and laptops which use the Android platform, because of the flexibility of this operating system.
V.
ADVANTAGES OF ANDROID OS
Android is a Linux‐based operating system for mobile phones such as smart phones and tablet computers. Android provides an open platform for developers to create their own applications for use by a variety ofmobile devices. Initially it was developed by android Inc, but later backed up by Google. In 2007 Android founded open handset alliance (OHA), which is a consortium of hardware, software and the open standard
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for mobile devices. I shall discuss in this section the justification of selecting android OS. Open Source: Since the system is open, it allows the users to create their own applications without much hassle. GoogleAccount Synchronization: The Android OS is synchronized with Google account and all the apps are accessible through the Google account. Wi‐Fi & GPS: The Android OS allows easy Wi‐Fi and GPS compatibility which is essential for using the applications built on that. Multitasking: Android OS like other operating systems allow multitasking which allows users to open multiple applications simultaneously which is essential and desirable feature of any user. Touch Screen Facility: The Android OS allows the facility of touch screen interface which is used widely in any device such as tablet, smart phones and laptops. Multiple Versions: All applications which the users wish to develop is accommodated by different versions of Android OS. Upgradeable OS: Android OS can we upgrade to a newer version via OTA( Over The Air) directly from the mobile phone . Custom Firmware(CFW): Since is an open source OS , the user can find a custom Firmware, that is the original Firmware can be still edited to improve the existing performance CFW is a very popular feature. Apart from the above obvious benefits a few more to list are from the development point of view it is much more flexible than any other Operating system which is based on UNIX kernel and with Java support. It has also got a very good developer support. VI.ARCHITECTURAL BLOCK DIAGRAM OF THE SUGGESTEDAPPLICATION
Fig 1: Architectural Block Diagram
The user will have the application in his smart phone or any other gadget which is using android platform. The application will give a remainder on a particular date of the month for the user according to the menstrual cycle entered. When it prompts the user to do the Breast Self‐ Examination. If required the user can view the video clip which is played by the application which will explain the step by step process or in the other words the methodology of performing the BSE. The user will follow the steps and do the self‐Examination process and enter the results in a user Interface Screen which will ask the user to fill in the observations on BSE on that particular date. The application will enter the details in the database on date wise. After this process the application will ask the details of the vital body signs. The user can use a customized wearable jacket which will have sensors for measuring the body temperature, Blood Pressure and Pulse rate. From the results displayed on the monitor of the wearable jacket the user will enter the same results on the user interface of the application. This data will also be stored in the database which is in the device. In the wearable jacket we can have pervasive elements which will allow the user to perform the above tasks which are as follows. Temperature sensor, Blood Pressure monitor and a band to monitor the pulse rate continuously. Wearable Jacket: Wearable jackets are part of Wearable computing facilitates which is a form of computer interface with human beings. It is a small body worn computer (processor) customized one which is always ready to use. It works with the help of sensors and actuators. The device can be customized by the user to serve his necessities. It can get connected to any of the servers or it can just measure the readings of the vital body signs at any point in time [5].Once the user enters the vital signs of the body the next thing the application will prompt is to take pictures of the skin using the camera of the same device. The user will upload pictures of the skin of the breast on to the database, and each time the picture is uploaded the database will ask for a password to store the image as other than the user no one else will be able to access the images for security and ethical reasons. After this process the user will be prompted to enter the results of neutropenia test results. Neutrogena is a disorder of the blood, with low levels of a special type of cell called the neutrophil.There are 2 kinds of cells in the blood which are the major ones among the
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multiple ones. The white blood cell which is used to destroy the decease causing bacteria’s in the blood is called a neutophil. It is lowered beyond a particular level that will lead to many major infections which will show so many symptoms. The common infections are as follows High Temperature Sweating and extreme chills Mouth Ulcers, tooth pain and throat related problems. • Body Pain • Frequent Urination tendency • Diarrhea and loss of appetite When the application asks the user to enter results on Neutrogena tests the user will test the blood and enter the readings on RBC, WBC and the blood sugar level both in random and fasting. After the results are entered the application will process the datas which are entered and store the data date wise in the database. Any variation from the previous data entered will be considered and also the comparison with the ideal data which is stored in the application will be done and it will notify the user. The application will also email the doctor of the user all these details and initiate communication between the user and the doctor. The same process will be repeated every month on the same day so the risk of not detecting Breast cancer in the early stage will be reduced considerably which is the main key of curing the decease.
VII.RESEARCH ELEMENT As per the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation due to the block of lymph nodes there will be redness, warmth and swelling can be found on it. Swollen lymph nodes can be found under arms as the blockage will be there also. I am considering this fact to be added to the initial screening process of Breast cancer in my application. The camera in the device can be used to take the picture of that area and store it in the application with a password as the images will get saves automatically in the picture library. These images are sensitive data and need not get leaked, for that purpose it can be secured with a password. The Image can be analyzed with the previously stored ideal image. According to scientific findings the nature and texture of the skin will vary according to the nationality and ethnicity. So Different types of ideal skin of different ethnicity can be stored in the database for analysis. Further the skin image which is uploaded by the user will be compared by the software with the existing database and the discrepancies will be calculated and the user will be intimated accordingly. A Image analysis tool
can be developed for this purpose to detect the image by size, shape, color and any other criteria which is defined. The image can be analyzed for Thickness, nodularity, size, porosity, change in colour and other needs.
VIII.CONCLUSION AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS In this report I have covered the tips of breast self‐ examination and the importance of BSE. The flexibility and the benefits of Android OS are also clearly discussed. There is a lack of application in this platform which enables the user in an effective way to perform the breast self‐examination procedure as a routine which is the key of early detection which plays an important role in the survival. This Architecture can be developed and implemented in smart phones, tablets or any other device. The complete prototype (working model) of the application can be developed and implemented. Also the research aspect which is discussed above can be incorporated in the prototype and the results will be provided to the user. The appropriate software which can satisfy all the above mentioned criteria’s shall be selected for development of this application according to the convenience of the developer.
IX.REFERENCES [1] Holtzman,D.;Celentano,D.D” The practice and efficiency of Breast self‐examination:a critical review”. AM j Public health, Vol 73 1983, P 1234‐1236. [2] Michael S. O'Malley; Suzanne W. Fletcher “Screening for Breast cancerwith Breast self examination A critical Review “TheJournal of the American Medical Association, Vol 257, No 16, 1987 , p 2196‐2203 [3] Joann G. Elmore ; Katrina Armstrong ; Constance D. Lehman ; Suzanne W. Fletcher, “Screening for Breast Cancer” The Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol 293, No 10, 2005 , p 1245‐1256 [4] Chao‐Tung Yang; Yen‐Yu‐Chu; Shvh‐ChangTsaur; “Implementation of a Medical Information Service on Android mobile Devices” New Trends in Information Science and Service Science (NISS), 2010 4th International Conference 11th‐13th may 2010, P 72‐77 [5] MadiajaganMuthaiyan; NehaGoel; Deepti Sunder Prakash,” Virtual E‐Medic : a cloud based medical aid”, World Academy of Science , Engineering and Technology, 2012, p 71 [6] Breast Awareness and self Exam (2013). Revised 7/25 /2000[online].Available: http:// www. cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/moreinformation/breastc
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X. AUTHORS INFORMATION Anuradha.G.B is currently working with Tele‐ apps Middle East as Senior Systems Analyst. She is Pursuing her M.E In software systems in Bits Pilani‐ Dubai. She completed her Bachelors in Engineering in Computer science and Engineering from Bharathidasan University. She has also 4 years of teaching experience at the university level. Joseph George is working with the Ministry of Health, UAE. He is heading the IT department of Rashid Centre for Diabetes and Research, which is the national reference center for Diabetes and Obesity treatment and research in the UAE. He has a Masters Degree in IT and various Professional IT certifications. Currently he is persuing his second Masters degree in Engineering, from BITS Pilani ‐ Dubai. His areas of research interests are Image Processing and Business Intelligence. Madiajagan MUTHAIYAN holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from BITS Pilani, (Raj), India and M.S in Software Systems from BITS, Pilani (Raj), India. He has 18 years of College / University teaching experience and 2 years as a Senior System Analyst in Blue Chip Software Company, India . Presently, he is working as Professor In‐Charge Information Communication Technology Department of Computer Science at BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. His areas of interest include Cloud Computing, Component Based Software Engineering, Distributed Database Systems, Software Architecture, and Theory of Computation. He is a Professional member of Professional bodies ACM, World Enformatica Society and Computer Society of India.
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