In addition, the Juntas app project was selected from among 13 outstanding proposals in the field of dermatological research in Latin America. The project, titled “Interactive mobile app to improve quality of life in patients with stage I to III breast cancer: a multicenter, controlled, non-randomized cohort study from a dermatological perspective,” aims to transform the way breast cancer patients experience their treatment and medical care.
Casas developed his project as part of the "App Development" course, under the guidance of Martín Cladera, in 2022. The award will enable the team to continue with the research phase and further develop an app that demonstrates how the convergence of academia, medicine, and technology can promote a more patient-centered approach in the medical field.
The primary goal of this innovative tool is to connect patients diagnosed with breast cancer with their medical team in a way that is both technologically advanced and simple, yet with a humanizing approach.
In addition, Juntas not only provides a direct communication channel between patients and their medical team, but also offers informational resources on skin, hair, and nail care, as well as topics related to sexuality and mindfulness. It also allows patients to report adverse dermatological effects and systemic symptoms, making it easier for doctors to assess their condition and provide personalized recommendations.
The medical team—comprising Dr. Camila Otero, dermatologists Alejandra Larre Borges and Sofía Nicoletti, and oncologist Cecilia Castillo—plans to continue the research, focusing on the hypothesis that using the Juntas app will significantly improve patients’ quality of life. To validate this hypothesis, a field study will be conducted at two leading Uruguayan hospitals: the British Hospital and the Hospital de Clínicas.