Dongdong Health: A Deep Companion for Cancer Patients Through Innovative Digital Medical Services

Although modern medicine has advanced considerably, it remains largely powerless against cancer, which has plagued humanity for nearly a century. According to data released by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization, both the number of new cancer cases and cancer-related deaths worldwide have shown an upward trend over the past five years.

According to the latest 2020 global cancer burden data released by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization,In 2020, there were 19.29 million new cancer cases globally, a year-on-year increase of 6.57%, and 9.96 million cancer deaths worldwide, a year-on-year increase of 3.75%., it is projected that by the end of this century, cancer will remain the leading “killer” worldwide and become the biggest “obstacle” on the path to extending human life expectancy.China’s cancer burden is equally grim; of the 19.29 million new cancer cases worldwide, China accounted for 4.57 million, representing approximately 23.7% of the global total.

Cancer is undoubtedly terrifying, but for the vast majority of cancer-related deaths, the “last straw” that truly overwhelms patients may not be cancer itself, but rather inefficient and poorly adhered-to cancer treatments, as well as the insurmountable psychological barriers faced by the patients themselves.

Research has found that more than 30% of cancer patients die from fear, meaning that after diagnosis, due toLack of professional treatment and psychological counseling, leading to a prolonged state of suffering and depression., leading to a progressive deterioration of physical condition and ultimately resulting in death.

For cancer patients enduring immense suffering, “companionship” may be the single most optimal solution. Here, “companionship” refers not only to emotional support but, more importantly, to professional therapeutic accompaniment, which often provides more tangible benefits. According to a study published in JAMA, a leading international medical journal,Following discharge, patients used internet-based tools to promptly report their status to their attending physicians during the post-discharge period, enabling active monitoring and intervention for adverse reactions; this approach extended survival by 5.2 months and significantly improved quality of life.

The profound impact of internet technology has now extended extensively to the field of oncology, ushering in significant transformations in cancer treatment in China. Although China has made substantial progress in cancer care in recent years, it remains an undeniable fact that the country started late in this field and faces uneven regional development. With the dawn of a new era of digital health, we have already achieved considerable advances in core areas such as early cancer detection and surgical oncology.

However, there remains significant room for growth in the field of internet-based healthcare for cancer. Currently, post-treatment management for cancer patients is largely unaddressed in China, with relatively few companies operating in this niche and overall development lagging behind. In this innovative sector, some enterprises with an exploratory spirit continue to make sustained efforts, with Dongdong Health being a typical representative.

Dongdong Health was established in 2014, dedicated to internet operations and technology development in the healthcare sector, and is a market pioneer in developing mobile health applications in China. Leveraging its leading advantages and in-depth research in the oncology care segment, Dongdong Health successfully launched its platform in September 2015.Dongdong OncologyThe APP, a full-course management platform dedicated to cancer patients, was thus born.

Like the vast majority of innovative enterprises, the inception of Dongdong Health was similarly rooted in a passion for and deep commitment to this field.

At the outset of his entrepreneurial journey, Chen Guang, the company’s founder, served with a purely public-welfare organization dedicated to cancer patients, primarily answering their questions via social media or direct phone calls to help them better undergo rehabilitation treatment. As the organization’s influence gradually expanded, its community of patients and volunteers grew steadily. When helping others became a habit, Chen Guang developed the aspiration to turn patient support into his career.

This is not a whim, but rather a comprehensive consideration based on factors ranging from market size to the overall environment.First is the enormous market potentialAccording to the National Cancer Report released by the National Cancer Center in 2018, there were 3.804 million new cases of malignant tumors in China in 2015, with an average of over 10,000 people diagnosed with cancer each day, and this number continues to show an upward trend.

Next are the unmet social needs.As the number of cancer patients in China continues to rise, related issues and contradictions have become increasingly prominent. These are mainly manifested in patients’ lack of basic knowledge about cancer, non-standardized medication use, poor adherence, and limited channels for purchasing drugs. Each of these pain points leaves cancer patients feeling overwhelmed and powerless. However, this is not a problem that can be solved by hospitals alone; it requires broader societal attention, specifically through the establishment of an efficient cancer patient management platform.

Ultimately, it stands on the shoulders of epoch-making reforms.2014 was defined as the inaugural year of internet healthcare, as it marked the point when internet technology began to extensively permeate core sectors of the medical industry, propelling it into a new historical phase. On one hand, innovative enterprises emerged in rapid succession; on the other, established industry leaders embarked on explorations into internet healthcare. The long-dormant healthcare sector began to brim with vitality, returning once again to the public spotlight.

In the field of oncology, the changes brought about by internet healthcare are extremely evident. Chen Guang, the company’s founder, stated, “Dongdong Health was established in 2014, a year when internet healthcare was just emerging and online platforms focused on medical services were springing up in large numbers. Specifically in the field of oncology, relying on new service models enabled by the internet,Enabling cancer patients to transcend temporal and spatial constraints, allowing them to have ‘close’ access to specialized medical resources, thereby providing significant assistance in medication guidance, therapeutic intervention, and psychological burden relief., this represents the core needs of patients and also serves as a development opportunity for enterprises.”

Dongdong Health is committed to becoming the leading brand in data-driven patient management. This is achieved by leveraging multi-dimensional data mining from its patient community to build a one-stop, in-depth oncology diagnosis and treatment service platform. This enables users to experience not only efficient and precise therapeutic services but also the establishment and reshaping of a comprehensive knowledge system.

Specifically, how has Dongdong Health structured its business layout?

First, establish a communication platform with a learning-oriented tone.Dongdong Health provides precise stratification and user profiling across different cancer types, offering patients a learning and exchange platform rooted in a culture of mutual support. It facilitates discussions on cutting-edge medical data and the sharing of anti-cancer experiences and success stories, fostering a supportive community atmosphere for collective cancer fighting. To date, patient-shared anti-cancer journals have garnered over ten million views, effectively alleviating psychological anxiety, boosting patients’ confidence in their fight against cancer, and encouraging active participation in treatment.

Second, customized health management records are created for patients.Cancer treatment is a prolonged process, during which patients undergo countless consultations and therapies. To document patients’ conditions in real time, Dongdong Health has developed a customized health management profile system. Leveraging AI-powered scanning and intelligent cropping, the system greatly facilitates patients’ self-recording and management of medical record data. It has become a popular medical record management tool within the oncology community, while also enabling physicians to trace clinical histories, thereby delivering more precise treatment services to patients.

Third, the tracking services of the intelligent early warning system.Based on patient disease progression and rehabilitation cycle data, Dongdong Health has developed an early warning management system featuring “AI-driven management + human intervention.” This system provides timely alerts and arranges subsequent follow-up care plans according to specific needs, including leveraging digital platforms to remind patients about medication adherence, establishing online channels for medication purchases, and scheduling medical consultations for patients. Currently, Dongdong Health is building a comprehensive pharmaceutical service ecosystem, which will bring substantial convenience to patients in areas such as medication procurement and follow-up visits.

4. Develop patient benefit programs.To provide patients with tangible assistance and strengthen their engagement with the platform, Ddong Health has launched multiple welfare programs. These primarily include educational content such as video-based science popularization initiatives and dedicated patient education columns, as well as personalized services across various dimensions, including discounted medication purchases, free appointment scheduling, and complimentary medication guidance.

What Is the Core Competency Dedicated to Serving Patients? Dongdong Health has currently signed cooperation agreements with over 100 medical experts. With standardized and personalized cancer treatment as its foundation, it assigns dedicated health management specialists to patients and users, providing online consultation services 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.

By establishing a closed-loop service chain for patients, Dongdong Health focuses on the management of cancer patients outside hospital settings. Leveraging big data and an internet-based collective cancer-fighting model, it enables proactive monitoring and intervention by professional physicians, thereby extending patient survival and significantly improving their quality of life. To enhance service quality, Dongdong Health connects with professional medical teams, DTP (Direct-to-Patient) pharmacies, hospitals, and other third-party institutions, providing robust support for its intervention measures.

Chen Guang frankly stated,“Throughout the entire care journey, Dongdong Health serves more as a ‘coach,’ while patients take on the role of ‘athletes.’ We are committed to accompanying patients every step of the way through scientific ‘training methods,’ helping them lead healthier, more fulfilling, and more meaningful lives on their cancer-fighting journey.”

To date, Dongdong Health has amassed over 1 million registered users and followers, including nearly 100,000 patients who have undergone immunotherapy. The platform has accumulated more than 100,000 anti-cancer journals, tens of thousands of knowledge-based Q&A entries, and 36,000 user medical records. The Dongdong Oncology APP has consistently ranked among the top ten mobile healthcare apps in China, establishing itself as the country’s largest community for cancer patients.

Dongdong Health’s remarkable achievements in the field of cancer treatment are no accident; rather, they stem from the corporate “moat” that Dongdong Health has gradually built through sustained efforts. Chen Guang stated that Dongdong Health has cultivated three core advantages to date: First, platform data is voluntarily uploaded by patients, meaning all information and data are proactively contributed by users, thereby ensuring strong timeliness and continuity. Second, patients have a high level of trust in the platform, fully believing in its service capabilities and willingly contributing their own efforts within the ecosystem. Third, the authority of therapeutic services: to enhance the professionalism of diagnosis, treatment, and related content, Dongdong Health has established a top-tier team of external physicians while building an experienced internal medical team. Together, these two teams work in concert to provide comprehensive, end-to-end support throughout the patient’s entire treatment journey.

Looking ahead, Dongdong Health has its own strategic perspective. It will continuously enhance its service capabilities by “refining its internal operations,” thereby expanding the boundaries of its business. Specifically, this involves establishing an online membership store to create a closed-loop service for pharmaceutical sales; deepening collaborations with partner organizations to provide patients with one-stop services; and accurately leveraging mainstream digital therapeutics while strengthening internal resources. These efforts aim to enable patients to access the world’s most advanced oncology diagnosis and treatment services at the most affordable cost, with the greatest convenience, and through the most satisfying experience.

Dongdong Health’s corporate vision is “Let Data Drive Health.” Along this thorny yet hopeful path toward curing cancer, Dongdong Health will remain steadfast in its original mission, helping more patients and striding confidently toward the goal of “A World Without Cancer.”

References:

[1]Basch E, Deal AM, Dueck AC, Scher HI, Kris MG, Hudis C, Schrag D. Overall Survival Results of a Trial Assessing Patient-Reported Outcomes for Symptom Monitoring During Routine Cancer Treatment. JAMA. 2017 Jun 4. doi: 10.1001/jama.2017.7156