Belong.Life: Free Apps for Patient Navigation, Community & Support

THEMES:

• Artificial intelligence

• Navigation

• Patient experience

• Coordinated care

• Peer support 

• Psychosocial support

• E-health

SUMMARY

Founded in 2015, Belong.Life Beating Cancer Together is a free patient navigation app designed to help cancer patients and their support networks manage their treatment journey and improve their quality of life. 

Some features are specifically designed to help with navigating complex information during the diagnosis phase. The app has been widely recognized for its ability to: 

• Enhance patient engagement

• Provide real-time support

• Facilitate seamless communication between patients and healthcare providers1

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Belong.Life is a global leader in digital health, revolutionizing the patient experience and delivering unparalleled value for patients, healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, and payers.

Belong’s community-driven model allows patients to connect anonymously, engage with others facing similar challenges, and receive timely and accurate information, and emotional support from a diverse group of individuals worldwide.2

CHALLENGE

Cancer care in Canada provides comprehensive medical treatment, but patients often face challenges that extend beyond clinical interventions. Many cancer patients struggle with gaps in patient navigation, psychosocial support, and real-time access to reliable information. Traditional healthcare services, though highly specialized, may lack the infrastructure to provide continuous patient education, peer support, and guidance outside of clinical settings.3

The isolation and anxiety that come with a cancer diagnosis are often exacerbated by limited access to support groups and peer networks. Traditional healthcare systems may not have the capacity to foster continuous patient-to-patient interactions, which are crucial for emotional well-being.

Additionally, healthcare navigation remains complex. Provincial patient navigation is limited to specific populations: rural, AYA, Indigenous, and not available nationwide. Patients frequently report confusion about treatment options, medical procedures, and follow-up care. 

A 2022 study4 highlights the increasing need for digital peer navigation in oncology, demonstrating its positive impact on patient outcomes and emotional well-being. It discusses important unmet needs of Canadian adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer. Although they highly desire peer support, many struggle to access it due to barriers such as the inconvenience of in-person groups and difficulty finding AYA-specific programs. 

Large-scale analysis of ambulatory oncology feedback mapped to the Cancer Experience Measurement Framework (CEMF) shows that the most salient pain-point is access/coordination, followed by continuity/transition and personalization, precisely where digital navigation and peer-assisted models can help. These findings provide a conceptual backbone for targeting Belong’s features to the real friction points patients report across the cancer trajectory.5

Over 80% of participants expressed interest in a digital peer navigation program, which could overcome barriers to peer support. AYA participants from the aforementioned study4 also indicated a greater need for emotional support (90.1%) and informational support (89.1%) rather than companionship or practical support. Overall, the findings indicated that the most important peer-matching characteristics included cancer type, specific concerns, and age at diagnosis.

In order to find feasible recommendations and solutions to these challenges, recent studies have demonstrated that artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance human capabilities in terms of accuracy, efficiency, and timely execution of medical and related administrative processes.6 Therefore, AI-based technologies can help promote safer and more-productive healthcare systems including timely diagnosis and psychosocial support, particularly for adolescents and young adults, and those living in remote areas. 

SOLUTION

Traditional healthcare systems do not have the capacity to foster continuous patient-to-patient interactions, which are crucial for emotional well-being. Digital therapeutics (DTx) tools represent a separate category within digital medicine, which itself is part of the broader realm of digital health.7 These tools use digital means to treat, manage, or prevent diseases including cancer. 

One of the primary unmet needs in cancer care is personalized support. Patients frequently report difficulty accessing customized treatment information, coping mechanisms, and mental health resources. Belong addresses this issue by leveraging AI-driven personalization, delivering tailored content, real-time consultations, and community engagement tools that help patients navigate their treatment journey with confidence.8

Expanding access to psychosocial oncology requires person-centred, situation-responsive delivery—adapting to individuals’ needs, preferences, and contexts.  Belong’s AI-supported personalization, multilingual communities, and modular expert access align with these recommendations by meeting patients where they are and integrating support as the cancer experience evolves.9

Belong simplifies the patient journey by offering structured navigation tools, direct access to expert advice, and streamlined communication channels that empower users to make informed decisions about their health.1

Canadian healthcare prioritizes data privacy and security, digital solutions require rigorous compliance with regulatory standards. Overall, Belong ensures user trust by implementing stringent data protection measures, maintaining compliance with privacy laws, and providing patients with a secure platform to share their health experiences.10

Furthermore, Belong’s key solutions include the world’s largest social and professional networks for people living with cancer:

• Belong – Beating Cancer Together: the world’s largest social and professional network for people living with cancer

• BelongMS: a dedicated social and professional network for people living with multiple sclerosis

• BelongAI health-grade patient engagement and support platforms, including:

• Dave AI Cancer Mentor: medically validated by leading oncologists at ASCO and ESMO

• Sophie: AI MS Mentor

• Tara: AI Clinical Trials Matching Assistant

• Fred: AI Weight and Health Mentor

Together, these AI-powered platforms proactively support, educate, and empower patients throughout their healthcare journey.

Dave: A Digital Health Assistant for Cancer Patients

Dave, a digital health assistant for cancer patients,  complements traditional cancer care by enhancing patient engagement, improving health literacy, and streamlining access to vital resources. 

A recent multi-institutional validation study11 evaluated “Dave”. Researchers analyzed 471 patient and caregiver questions submitted through an online oncology community, covering a range of cancer types and treatment-related topics. AI-generated responses were reviewed by a panel of oncology specialists for relevance, helpfulness, and consistency with evidence-based recommendations. Overall, 91.8% of responses were positively validated, while only a small proportion were considered unhelpful or not relevant.

The findings11,12 suggest that conversational AI can provide accurate, clinically appropriate information and may serve as a valuable tool for patient education and support between clinical appointments. However, current evidence is largely limited to expert evaluation of response quality. Further research is needed to determine whether these tools improve outcomes such as earlier diagnosis, treatment decision-making, patient safety, health equity, or patient-reported experiences.

With 24/7 availability, HIPAA and GDPR compliance, and the ability to simplify complex medical documents, Dave ensures that patients receive personalized and accurate information about their diagnosis, treatment options, and potential side effects. 

To operationalize personalization, care teams (or Dave’s onboarding flow) can quickly classify a user’s information-seeking profile using a brief CISP screener developed by Dr. Carmen Loiselle.13 Capturing whether a person prefers deep dives, “good-enough” summaries, peer-derived insights, or minimal information can calibrate Dave’s explanations, notification cadence, and escalation rules, improving engagement while reducing cognitive load.13

How Dave Enhances the Patient Experience

Personalized Guidance

AI analyzes patient data, providing tailored recommendations and information

Operational Efficiency

Automates onboarding and triage, guiding users to appropriate resources

Simplified Medical Information

Converts complex terminology into understandable language, helping users navigate complex healthcare decisions

Emotional Support

Connects users with communities and peer support

Workflow Efficiency

Automates administrative tasks, helping care teams focus on patient care while reducing costs

Multilingual Access

Real-time support in multiple languages

Privacy & Security

HIPAA/GDPR compliant 

By integrating AI-driven assistance, Dave complements traditional cancer care by enhancing patient engagement, improving health literacy, and streamlining access to vital resources. As cancer care continues to evolve, digital health assistants like Dave play an increasingly significant role in bridging the gap between patients and their healthcare providers, ensuring that individuals feel informed, supported, and empowered throughout their cancer journey.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Belong’s global community leverages proprietary big data platforms and machine learning technology, allowing users to connect, receive, and share clinical information anonymously, and to discuss urgent issues related to their condition privately. Research on digital health navigation suggests that these technologies can significantly enhance patient engagement and adherence to treatment protocols.10

As the world’s largest digital cancer patient platform, Belong partners with major organizations such as the American Cancer Society, Colorectal Cancer Canada, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and others. The company also conducts research and collaborates with leading universities, having published findings with The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and other organizations. These partnerships help expand its reach and credibility, fostering a larger community and more resources for its users.

The platform is patient-centric, focusing on the needs of cancer patients by providing a comprehensive support system that includes clinical information sharing and personalized care plans. The app’s advanced technology allows for tailored support, enhancing the treatment journey and overall patient experience. 

User satisfaction is high, with studies showing that patients feel more empowered, less isolated, and better prepared for medical consultations.14 Additionally, Belong collaborates with leading universities and organizations, underscoring its commitment to evidence-based improvements and academic credibility. Evidence from a McGill-affiliated team led by Prof. Loiselle shows that well-designed virtual survivorship programs can increase timely access to trustworthy information, normalize patients’ experiences, and mitigate isolation, while also surfacing trade-offs of virtual delivery (e.g., perceptions of “more superficial” connections for some participants). In a qualitative study of a 6-week program, survivors described gains in guidance and efficiency, alongside the need to adjust content and delivery features as the program unfolded, reinforcing Belong’s emphasis on iterative, person-centred design.15

"Through the years, eHealth apps have become increasingly popular among individuals facing various health challenges. It is now crucial to systematically assess their relevance and real-world impact."

Dr. Carmen G. Loiselle, Professor, 

Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, 

McGill University, Montreal, Canada

A study conducted in the gynecological oncology division at the Segal Cancer Center of the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, examined the implementation of the e-platform and the impact of Belong App.1 After exploring the perspectives of health-care providers (n=8), patient representatives (n=3) and an experienced volunteer (n=1) the study found that Belong is highly relevant and fills a gap in the cancer care landscape as 84% of respondents agreed that the platform helped them feel less alone in their cancer journey.1

Another study found that 80% of the respondents felt more prepared for medical consultations after using the Belong App.2

"It is well known that patients who are more engaged in the cancer treatment process are more likely to adhere to it and experience better outcomes and quality of life. Psychological well-being is crucial to optimize the treatment process, and the fact that most patients in the study said that the Belong community made them feel less alone indicates that such platforms can tangibly assist patients across the whole cancer trajectory."

Dr. Carmen G. Loiselle, Professor, 

Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, 

McGill University, Montreal, Canada

"This study shows that Belong is at the forefront of digital healthcare solutions and promoting patient engagement. The app enhances quality of life and health-related outcomes of patients because it allows them to hyper-personalize their experience using advanced machine learning algorithms. Personalization is exactly what Belong seeks to provide by understanding each user's unique situation and needs."

Eliran Malki

Co-founder and CEO of Belong

LESSONS LEARNED

• Personalized digital cancer care services are crucial for cancer patient engagement and psychological wellbeing in need of community support.

• Providing accessible and relevant information empowers cancer patients, especially the young ones, to feel less isolated during cancer care. 

• Collaborating with healthcare professionals and organizations while designing and improving digital solutions enhances credibility and ensures clinically sound content and support. 

NEXT STEPS

Cancer diagnosis and treatment profoundly affect patient’s lives, making it essential to equip them with the right tools to manage their condition effectively. 

Digital solutions, while addressing mainly the treatment decisions and psychosocial support followed by a cancer diagnosis, could be beneficial during cancer diagnosis. 

Incorporating AI into Canada's healthcare system could lead to cost savings. A McKinsey report16 suggests that AI integration could reduce annual healthcare spending by approximately 4.5% to 8.0%, translating to savings of CA$14 billion to CA$26 billion, without compromising quality or access.

AI-powered chatbots are emerging as tools to provide patients with information and support. These chatbots can assist with symptom checking, appointment scheduling, and health education, potentially improving patient engagement and access to information. However, the clinical effectiveness of these chatbots is still being established, and considerations around data privacy and ethical use remain paramount. 

FURTHER INFORMATION

Prof. Carmen G. Loiselle, Ph.D.

McGill University, 

CIUSSS Centre-Ouest, Montreal, Quebec

carmen.g.loiselle@mcgill.ca

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References:

1. Ahmed, S., Gotlieb, W. H., Erez, G. and Loiselle, C.G. (2022). Perceptions of BELONG as a supportive e-platform used by women with gynecologic cancers. Psycho-Oncology, 31(4), 674-683. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34402558/

2. Hanghøj, S., Boisen, K. A., Hjerming, M., & Elsbernd, A. (2020). Usability of a mobile phone app aimed at adolescents and young adults during and after cancer treatment: Qualitative study. JMIR Cancer, 6(1), e15008. 

3. Raharja, D. P., Hanani, R., & Joyoadisumarta, F. S. (2022). The impact of informal patient navigation initiatives on patient empowerment and National Health Insurance responsiveness in Indonesia. BMJ Global Health, 7(Suppl 6), e009526. https://gh.bmj.com/content/7/suppl_6/e009526.abstract

4. Bender, J. L., Puri, N., Salih, S., & D’Agostino, N. M. (2022). Peer support needs and preferences for digital peer navigation among adolescent and young adults with cancer: A Canadian cross-sectional survey. Current Oncology, 29(2), 99. https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/29/2/99/pdf

5. Bourque, M. A., & Loiselle, C. G. (2022). Patients’ cancer care perceptions conceptualized through the Cancer Experience Measurement Framework. BMC Health Services Research, 22, 693. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07946-y

6. Clark, M., & Bailey, S. (2024). Chatbots in health care: Connecting patients to information. CADTH Horizon Scan, 4(1).​

7. Jacobs, F., D'Amico, S., Zazzetti, E., Gaudio, M., Benvenuti, C., Saltalamacchia, G., Gerosa, R., Gentile, D., Lasagna, A., Pedrazzoli, P., Tinterri, C., Santoro, A., De Sanctis, R., Porta, M. D., & Zambelli, A. (2024). Digital innovations in breast cancer care: exploring the potential and challenges of digital therapeutics and clinical decision support systems. Digital health, 10, 20552076241288821. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076241288821

8. Loiselle, C. G., et al. (2022). Study on the effects of digital health apps on cancer patient outcomes. Digital Health, 8, 20552076241288821. 

9. Loiselle, C. G., & Brown, T. L. (2020). Increasing access to psychosocial oncology services means becoming more person-centered and situation-responsive. Supportive Care in Cancer, 28(12), 5601–5603. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-020-05659-8

10. Offodile, A. C., 2nd, Seitz, A. J., & Peterson, S. K. (2021). Digital Health Navigation: An Enabling Infrastructure for Optimizing and Integrating Virtual Care Into Oncology Practice. JCO clinical cancer informatics, 5, 1151–1154. https://doi.org/10.1200/CCI.21.00111

11. Golan, T., Purim, O., Rosin, D., Sapir, E., Gatt, M., Charas, T., Iofin, I., Wolf, I., Haikin, B., & Vorobiof, D. A. (2024a). Multi-institutional validation survey on Belong.life’s conversational artificial intelligence (AI) oncology mentor, “Dave”. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 42(16_suppl), e13596. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2024.42.16_suppl.e13596

12. Golan, T., Purim, O., Iofin, I., Rosin, D., Sapir, E., Gatt, M., Charas, T., Wolf, I., Haikin, B., & Vorobiof, D. A. (2024b). 1834P Accuracy of recommendations by a conversational Artificial Intelligence (AI) cancer mentor application (app): A multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional evaluation report. Annals of Oncology, 35(Suppl. 2), S1084. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annonc.2024.08.1929

13. Loiselle, C. G. (2023). Cancer information-seeking profiles: A self-report measure of patients’ distinct preferences for information about their cancer. Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal, 33(3), 363–366. https://doi.org/10.5737/23688076333363

14. Adam, R., McMichael, D., Powell, D., & Murchie, P. (2019). Publicly available apps for cancer survivors: A scoping review. BMJ Open, 9(9), e032510. 

15. Robb, A., Brown, T. L., Durand, A., & Loiselle, C. G. (2022). Cancer survivors’ evolving perceptions of a new supportive virtual program. Current Oncology, 29(11), 8431–8441. https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol29110664

16. Al-Haque, S., B-Lajoie, M.-R., Eizenman, E., & Milinkovich, N. (2024, February 26). The potential benefits of AI for healthcare in Canada. McKinsey & Company. ​