Incorporating Language Technologies and LLMs to Support Breast Cancer Education in Hispanic Populations: A Web-Based, Interactive Platform

Abstract

Breast cancer is a leading cause of mortality among women, disproportionately affecting Hispanic populations in the U.S., particularly those with limited health literacy and language access. To address these disparities, we present a bilingual, web-based educational platform tailored to low-literacy Hispanic users. The platform supports full navigation in English and Spanish, with seamless language switching and both written and spoken input options. It incorporates automatic speech recognition (ASR) capable of handling code-switching, enhancing accessibility for bilingual users. Educational content is delivered through culturally sensitive videos organized into four categories: prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment. Each video includes embedded and post-video assessment questions aligned with Bloom’s Taxonomy to foster active learning. Users can monitor their progress and quiz performance via a personalized dashboard. An integrated chatbot, powered by large language models (LLMs), allows users to ask foundational breast cancer questions in natural language. The platform also recommends relevant resources, including nearby treatment centers, and support groups. LLMs are further used for ASR, question generation, and semantic response evaluation. Combining language technologies and LLMs reduces disparities in cancer education and supports informed decision-making among underserved populations, playing a pivotal role in reducing information gaps and promoting informed healthcare decisions.