As a part of the wearable technology partnership between the MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper and Polaris Health Directions, breast cancer patients were educated on Tuesday, on the use of the Apple Watch in the collection of behavioral data.

The joint project, announced in May this year between Polaris and the MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, has the goal of determining how gathering and acting on behavioral health data can be used to improve the care for patients who are fighting breast cancer.

Wayne based behavioral health company Polaris, has developed proprietary technology that can be used to gather and analyze the data needed to effectively monitor the treatment and progress of patients, and if necessary, intervene during the care process.

As a part of the pilot study, 30 patients ranging in age from 30 to 66 will receive a customized, free Apple Watch, which will then be used to passively and actively collect behavioral data that could affect the direction and results of their treatment.

The patient’s activity and heart rate will be tracked by built-in sensors, while so-called “glances prompts” will ask patients to provide answers on how they are feeling emotionally and physically at any given moment. Additionally, there will also be support groups where patients will be able to share their experiences during their treatment.

Tina Harralson, the Science Director at Polaris, enthused that the company’s advanced analytics will be applied to the data to provide “meaningful and actionable insights” for patients as well as their doctors as treatment progresses.

Dr. Generosa Grana, the Director of the MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, also noted that the inclusion of behavioral health in cancer care has already significantly impacted the process, adding that “a positive frame of mind can help a patient through all phases of diagnosis and treatment.”

In case the study proves a success, and provides encouraging results, the two companies plan to pursue a National Cancer Institute research grant to transform the study into a full-scale project for breast cancer patients nationwide.