Bravely -- A Daily Health Companion for Cancer Patients

Overview

Bravely is a mobile app designed to support cancer patients in managing treatment schedules, medications, and self-care routines with ease. Inspired by my father’s journey with prostate cancer, this project focuses on compassion, simplicity, and empowerment — helping patients stay organized and emotionally supported during treatment.

Role: Lead UI/UX Designer
Tools: Figma, Canva
Timeline: May – June 2025

Challenge

Cancer patients and caregivers often face overwhelming responsibilities — medication tracking, medical appointments, side effects, and emotional fatigue. These challenges can lead to missed medications, poor self-care, and high stress levels. I wanted to design a digital companion that simplifies daily management while promoting emotional well-being.

Research

I interviewed patients and caregivers to understand their routines and frustrations.
Key insights included:

• Simplification is essential: Users need one central place to track everything.

• Emotional support matters: Mental health is as important as physical care.

• Personalization helps: Each treatment journey is unique and requires flexibility.

Personas included Mario (65), a prostate cancer patient managing multiple treatments, and Ella (42), his daughter and caregiver who balances her father’s care with her own life.

Solution

Bravely helps patients and caregivers stay on track through four main features:

1. Personalized Calendar – Organizes treatments, medications, and self-care reminders.

2. Symptom & Mood Tracker – Helps users log their daily physical and emotional states.

3. Information Hub – Provides articles, FAQs, and side-effect management tips.

4. Caregiver Access – Enables secure collaboration and communication between patients and caregivers.

Design Approach

My design focused on a calming, minimalist interface with clear navigation and accessibility in mind. The color palette was soft and hopeful, aiming to reduce anxiety. Features like adjustable text sizes and potential voice commands make Bravely inclusive for all users, especially older adults experiencing fatigue or vision changes.

Impact

Early feedback from cancer patients and caregivers revealed:

• Improved consistency in medication and appointment tracking.

• Better emotional awareness through daily self-care prompts.

• Positive response to the app’s simplicity and warmth, helping users feel more in control.

  
  

Future Opportunities

• Integrating healthcare provider portals for direct communication.

• Building community spaces for shared patient experiences.

• Adding analytics to help track treatment progress and overall wellness.

  
  

Reflection

Bravely is a deeply personal project born from empathy and lived experience. Seeing my father navigate treatment showed me the emotional and logistical weight patients carry. This project reaffirmed my belief that design can be both compassionate and functional — a bridge between care, clarity, and comfort.

💌 Let’s connect: denisepbusiness@gmail.com | LinkedIn