Flowarm

we found that breast cancer patients have many emotional problems due to defects in appearance and long postoperative repair. Our goal is to improve their mental health. In the app, patients can post their daily activities to get some flowers from their friends or family members, which makes them feel warm.

Why we care about Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is seriously affect women's physical and mental health of one of the most common malignant tumor, breast cancer patients should not only suffer from cancer itself, but also to face the loss of breast caused by body image, the psychological blow of patients have serious impact on physical and psychological, increase the patient's anxiety, depression, fear, despair, and other negative emotional response. Therefore, in addition to drug and nutritional support, patient psychological treatment and psychological support is also an important part of comprehensive treatment of breast cancer.

Design Questions

How might women patients with breast cancer stay confident as they recover from the disease?

Problem Statement

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors that seriously affect women's physical and mental health.The patient suffered a huge psychological blow during the treatment, mainly reflected in the great psychological gap caused by the damage of the breast and the disharmony of the upper limbs. We want to help these female patients overcome negative emotions and maintain confidence so that they can continue to be positive about their lives as they recover.

Research Questions

The relationship between disease and patients' self-confidence
Do they feel less confident because of cancer? Why is that?
How the normal activities change during the treatment?
In the course of treatment, what are the ways that patients can effectively relieve psychological pressure?

Secondary Research

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Interview

Mrs. Chen (40-50yrs)
Diagnosed a year ago / Total mastectomy

“The lifestyle I had was not bad, but why did the disease choose me?”
“There are many people in this world whose lives are more tragic than mine.”
“People who die from coronavirus are more miserable than I am.”
“I believe that the recurrence of cancer is a fateful arrangement.”
“Although the medical treatment was not easy, I persevered.”
“I often divert my attention. Singing and sports have helped me.”
“I am very optimistic and my husband and son are very considerate.”

Mrs. Zhang (40-50yrs)
Diagnosed a year ago / Breast-conserving

“I developed many hobbies, such as dancing and tai chi.”
“I began to reorganize my lifestyle.”
“My husband is a great supporter and looks after me all the time.”
“The most important thing is to be strong inside yourself”
“Time can calm you down a lot.”
“If I had to choose one cancer, I would choose breast cancer.”
“I was very afraid of the review, worried about recurrence”

Mrs. Wang (40-50yrs)
Diagnosed in 2019 / Total mastectomy

“It(operation) also affects my body shape. Sometimes I feel like I'm disabled.”
“After the operation, I feel that the impact of mentality is relatively large, I will sigh about the unfair fate.”
“I'm less sociable, less talkative and more self focused.”
“Sometimes I call my better friends and cry. It can makes me feel decompress.”
“As for the mitigation measures, I may solve many problems on my own.”
“I hope my family could always be with me.”

Mrs. Deng (30-40yrs)
Diagnosed in 2020 / Breast-conserving

“The hollow breast made me feel so bad that I went to the doctor several times to see if I could get it back.”
“My body became so inconvenience, which make me feel sad.”
“Family and friends comfort me because of love. They can’t empathize with me.”
“I couldn't tell my story three months ago”
“The words of doctors and patients gave me more comfort.”
“The chemo made me feel desperate.”

Mrs. Zhu (40-50yrs)
Diagnosed in 2020 / Total mastectomy

“About how to relieve the pressure, I will choose to solve it alone.”
“I may not choose to complain with friends and relatives.”
“It(operation) also has an effect on my body shape.”
“I couldn't tell my story three months ago”
“Although the effect(of the method) may be mediocre, I have no other way.”
“I care what people think of my body, so I feel some pressure.”

Survey Result

Empathy Map

Affinity Diagram

Insights

Disease makes patients feel more desperate, since the diagnosis, patients themselves for their own life worries and fears so that they tent to put all the complain in fate. The period of recovery at home can be regarded as an important turning point for patients. After a long period of stress and the pain of chemotherapy, they have a chance to begin to examine themselves and their lives. The changes brought by the disease always remind them of their "patient" identity, and the psychological gap becomes more and more obvious at this time. They need external encouragement and an emotional outlet with someone close to them, but they know they are the only ones who can truly digest and heal their trauma.

Design Keywords: recovery stage; Family support; enhance self-identity

Personas

Journey Map

Ideation

Patients deeply understand that family and friends care because of love, no one can empathize with their pain. We realized that the key to restoring their confidence was restoring their own acceptance of themselves. Therefore, we hope that our products can let them directly feel that they are getting better and their life is getting better. We chose flowers as a medium to convey happiness and encourage them to start a healthy and productive life.

“We hope you know your life is changing for the better.”