Perspectives on using AI to find cancer in tissue samples

What’s the project about?

Every year, around 275,000 people have tissue samples taken to test for whether they have breast cancer. Samples are looked at by a specially trained doctor, a histopathologist. They decide if the sample contains cancer cells and if further tests or treatments are needed.

This research project is looking at an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool called Galen Breast, which has been developed to help find cancer in tissue samples. This study will help to show if Galen Breast can make breast cancer assessment in the NHS quicker and more accurate, leading to earlier treatment, and freeing-up histopathologists’ time.

The patient and public involvement (PPI) team working on this study want to ensure all aspects of this research include the perspectives of patients and the public.

They also want to understand a broad range of views on this technology, and hear what patients need to know and understand about the tool to feel comfortable with it being used to diagnose breast cancer.

Who’s organising it?

Name of project lead: Katie Lean

Job title: Senior Programme Manager

Organisation: Health Innovation Oxford and Thames Valley

Email address: katie.lean@healthinnovationoxford.org

Phone number: 07825 195 901

Who can take part?

This workshop will be specifically focussing on hearing the views of women and their families from African and Caribbean heritage.

You can take part if you (or a member of your family) have this heritage background and have ever had a diagnosis of primary, or secondary, breast cancer.

Why do you want me to be involved?

The researchers want to make sure that the voices of people affected by breast cancer are heard and included in all aspects of healthcare and research.

By sharing your experiences, you can ensure this research project includes outcomes that are important to people affected by breast cancer. And you could help contribute towards a product that could make breast cancer assessment in the NHS quicker, leading to earlier treatment.

What will you ask me to do?

The researchers are talking to a wide range of people who have experience of breast cancer (as a patient or family member) to understand their views about the use of artificial intelligence in the diagnosis of cancer.

For this workshop they’d love to talk to women of African, and Caribbean heritage to help improve their outcomes.

You’ll be invited to an online workshop which will take place on the morning of 3 February 2025. The workshop will last for 2 to 3 hours.

You’ll hear more about the research and the use of the AI technology, and have a chance to talk about your feelings about using AI in cancer diagnosis, and what things you’d like to see in the research.

You’ll be offered a payment of £20 per hour for involvement on the day.

How do I get involved?

If you’d like to take part in the research, or if you have any questions, you can contact Katie Lean by email at katie.lean@healthinnovationoxford.org. Or you can call her on mobile on 07825 195 901.

Or, you can write to Katie at:

Health Innovation Oxford & Thames Valley
First floor 12 and 13
Sherrington Building
Magdalen Centre
1 Robert Robinson Avenue Oxford
OX4 4GA

Please make sure your include contact details so that Katie can get in touch with further information.

When’s the deadline?

6 December 2024