Cancer patients require specialized care to address their physical and emotional challenges and treatment complexities. This article explores remote patient monitoring (RPM) for cancer care. We will explain how RPM is working to improve oncology care quality and reduce the need for emergency room visits and hospital admissions.
Remote Patient Monitoring in Cancer Care
Remote patient monitoring promotes early identification of complications and affords timely cancer care to help prevent cancer progression. By focusing on providing better cancer care management between visits, clinicians can identify high-risk patients and coordinate effective care plans before hospitalization is required.
Research published in the British Medical Journal shows that remote patient monitoring effectively manages cancer patient symptom burden. The study reports that remote patient monitoring has a sizable, positive effect and the potential to make a “meaningful difference” to cancer patients.
The ACCC’s Digital Innovations in Cancer Care survey results also break down adoption rates for digital health cancer care programs. The results show that 40% are implementing or piloting an RPM program, and 43% of respondents plan to use it. At the same time, 17% are not interested in remote patient monitoring for cancer care.
Remote Patient Monitoring for Oncology Patients
There are more than 100 different types of cancer. Therefore, it is unsurprising that cancer is associated with myriad causes, symptoms, and co-occurring diseases. RPM redefines how patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers navigate the complex journey of anti-cancer treatments. Increased access to Principal Illness Navigation Services (PIN) implemented in the 2024 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services allows practices to be more proactive and aligned with the broader goals of improving patient outcomes through a more person-centered approach.
Remote monitoring tracks how patients respond to treatments. With regular patient health data, clinicians can quickly adjust treatment and medication plans, optimizing their patient’s oncology care quality. Early intervention helps reduce cancer patients’ emergency room visits and hospital admissions.
Many oncology patients benefit from monitoring multiple vital signs. The specific remote patient monitoring device used depends on what type of cancer, symptoms, and co-occurring conditions a patient has. The following sections explore how remotely monitoring blood pressure, weight, blood glucose, and blood oxygen levels can help with cancer management.
Blood Pressure Monitoring and Cancer Care
Remote blood pressure monitoring can be an effective way to observe treatment effectiveness in cancer patients. A— Scientific Reports meta-analysis found positive associations between hypertension and risk of kidney, colorectal, breast, endometrial, liver, and esophageal cancers. In fact, hypertension is the most frequently reported comorbidity in cancer patients.
Common cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) medications can cause high blood pressure. Therefore, due to the increased risk of developing hypertension, it’s important to monitor blood pressure in cancer patients regularly. By effectively managing hypertension, cancer patients can receive the treatment they need to control tumor growth without additional damage to their organs.
Weight Monitoring for Cancer Care With RPM
Unexplained weight loss is a common symptom of cancer. It is suggested that the greatest risk of cancer occurs within 1-3 months of unexplained weight loss. About 40% of cancer patients report experiencing unexplained weight loss when first diagnosed with cancer.
Conversely, some cancers (particularly breast, prostate, and ovarian) can cause the opposite effect: rapid weight gain. Hormone therapy and anti-cancer medications can cause the body to retain fluids, resulting in abdominal bloating. Remote weight monitoring, often used for congestive heart failure, provides valuable insight into how cancer patients respond to treatment.
Unexplained weight loss of three or more pounds a week or weight gain of five or more pounds per week will likely require medical attention. A remote weight monitoring platform will alert clinicians immediately if a patient’s body weight measurement exceeds the set threshold. As a result, clinicians can act quickly and provide patients with the care they need before symptoms progress.
Blood Glucose Monitoring and Cancer Care
Another effective way to prevent cancer progression is through remote blood glucose monitoring. Many people struggle with both diabetes and cancer. Diabetes is characterized by high blood glucose levels, and cancer cells rapidly metabolize glucose for energy. Therefore, high blood glucose levels provide cancer cells abundant fuel for tumor growth.
Many cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy, steroids, and chemotherapy, can elevate blood glucose levels. Cancer patients can better control their blood glucose levels by modifying diets, exercising regularly, and participating in remote patient monitoring. Essentially, they can limit tumor growth by minimizing its primary fuel source.
An RPM wireless blood glucose meter keeps patients accountable for measuring their blood glucose levels. Patients are more likely to take their measurements when they feel assured that a clinician will regularly oversee their data. RPM devices that do not require syncing or apps make it even easier for patients to stick to a consistent remote vital sign monitoring schedule.
Blood Oxygen Monitoring and Cancer Care
Patients with lung cancer can benefit from remote blood oxygen monitoring. Dyspnea (shortness of breath) is a prevalent side effect of most lung cancer treatments. It is also the most common symptom in all lung cancers. As a result, many patients with lung cancer may not be inhaling enough oxygen to fuel body processes properly.
Hypoxia (lack of oxygen in the tissues) can affect the behavior of cancer cells, causing them to become resistant to treatment. By closely monitoring the blood oxygen levels of cancer patients with a wireless pulse oximeter, clinicians can ensure that their patients continue to positively respond to an oncology treatment or quickly modify treatment plans to prevent cancer progression.
Temperature Monitoring for Cancer Care
A remote patient monitoring thermometer is used to detect fever in cytokine release syndrome. In one study, researchers identified fevers nearly five hours earlier than standard hospital temperature checks every 4-8 hours. The study also investigated subtle temperature variations that could indicate deviations from the patient’s usual circadian pattern. This early detection of potential issues before a significant temperature spike is crucial.
Remote Patient Monitoring for Cancer Management: Key Points
Remote patient monitoring enables clinicians to observe cancer development and treatment effectiveness closely. It also transitions cancer care outside of the conventional clinic and palliative care settings into patients’ everyday lives for more consistent and comfortable patient monitoring. As a result, patients develop a better understanding of their condition and are more likely to adhere to their treatment plans. By promoting better cancer management between visits, clinicians can quickly identify and treat complications before they require hospitalization.
RPM research solutions are regularly being conducted to determine the effectiveness of RPM in cancer care. Would you like to offer remote patient monitoring solutions to oncology patient providers? Contact our team for a free demo and consultation.
