Understanding patient views on new AI technology to find cancer in tissue samples

What’s the project about?

Around 275,000 people each year have a tissue sample taken to investigate a breast lump. 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 whether 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 people affected by breast cancer. They also wish to understand a broad range of views on the utility of this AI technology, and gain insight into what people affected by breast cancer need to know and understand about the tool in order to feel comfortable with it being used.

Who can take part?

You can take part if you, or someone you care for or are close to, have ever had a diagnosis of primary or secondary, breast cancer.

Different parts of this project are open to different groups of people.

Why do you want me to be involved?

By sharing your experiences you can ensure this research project includes outcomes that are important to patients.

And you can help contribute towards a product that could make breast cancer assessment in the NHS quicker and more accurate. The could lead to earlier treatment, and free up histopathologists’ time.

What will you ask me to do?

This project will be running until mid 2025, and there are multiple opportunities to get involved.

The researchers are running 2 online focused discussion groups, focussing on underserved communities:  

• Men with experience of breast cancer (due to take place 20th June)
• Black women (due to take place in Autumn 2024).

They’re also running a roundtable discussion on the wider issue of trust and ethics around the use of AI. this will be open to patients, carers and clinicians and will be an in-person, half day event in London or Oxford tbc, due to take place in early 2025.

They’re also setting up a patient advisory panel. This will be formed of 5 or 6 people with a personal diagnosis of breast cancer. They’ll provide feedback and comments to the research study progress and plans. They’ll also contribute to the design and dissemination of comms and any patient facing materials.

How do I get involved?

If you’d like further information about this project, or would like to take part in any of the involvement opportunities, please contact Lucy Walters on lucy.walters@healthinnovationoxford.org.

Alternatively you can write to Lucy to express your interest at

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

Please ensure your include contact details so that Lucy can get in touch with further information.