Table 4.

Strategies and participant app component preferences

App Component	Strategy	Quotes
WCRF/AICR cancer prevention guidelines	Educational materials	“Because as a cancer survivor, I think we need that kind of education. Because there are so many programs teaching how to work out; but as breast cancer survivors, need special education that will not traumatize our bodies.”
Food and exercise diary	Dietary intake and physical activity progress	“I want an app to chart or journal what I have been eating and doing—to give me ideas and guidance.”
Email reminders	Feedback Instructions	“I like email reminders and tips for eating every day, reminding me to drink water, to eat fruits and vegetables.”
Body mass index calculator	Self-monitoring of body weight	“The best app is one that calculates how fat you are. Having a BMI calculator is a must!’
Healthy weight range	Self-monitoring of body weight Goal setting	“Healthy weight in my community is different from for other women. I need to know how much I should weight to prevent my breast cancer from coming back—I need a goal.”
Energy/calorie requirement calculator	Self-monitoring of portion control Goal setting	“Apps that have restaurant information and the calculation of the calories for any of the foods you eat are best.”
Food group recommendations	Self-monitoring of fruits and vegetables; red and processed meats; whole grains	“It would help if the app allowed me to track my progress—tell me if I am eating the right number of foods to prevent cancer.”
Recipes—pictures of foods, YouTube videos	Educational materials Instructions	“The ones (apps) with links to other websites was very good.”
Exercise—instructions, YouTube videos	Educational materials Instructions	“More information, especially about physical activity.”
Tracking negative thoughts/stress	Stress reduction	“I learned how to release my stress, to breathe that’s a good thing and also not to stress our body, to go further than we can. We need to include this in the app.”
Links to FaceBook, Twitter	Social support Feedback	“Another thing I like is when you can talk with certain people—people going through what you are going though; experts like nutritionists and fitness experts.”
Internet website links	Resources	“If it’s too much information, someone like me who is new to using apps, if it’s too technical, the user will give up.” It’s important to make the app ‘user-friendly’ and link out to other resources.”
Reminders to log food and activity	Self-monitoring Goal setting	“The best app is one that communicates with you—that sends you reminders to track your progress.”
Flags for lapses in diet and physical activity goal adherence	Self-monitoring Goal setting	“Once I set a goal, I usually stick to it. But some things that I think that I am doing right, I am not really doing right. I need someone to tell me.”