Meet Angie, the WhatsApp chatbot for women at risk of hereditary breast cancer – CNA Lifestyle

If you think you might be at risk of breast cancer, there’s now a WhatsApp chatbot powered by artificial intelligence that can help answer your questions.  Angie the chatbot is part of a project by the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS) that aims to expand access to genetic counselling. Women who are suspected of having a genetic predisposition to or are at high risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC) can use the chatbot to learn about the syndrome and how genetic testing can help, before they attend their first genetic counselling session at the NCIS Cancer Genetics Clinic. They can also use the chatbot to complete their family medical history for risk assessment at their convenience. Currently, those at risk of HBOC are referred directly to the clinic for a genetic counselling session to help them understand the pros and cons of genetic testing and discuss recommended preventive options with an expert. Prior to this visit, a counsellor will conduct a routine call to collect the patient’s family medical history. This call can sometimes take up to an hour. “During the initial counselling session, many patients may also feel overwhelmed by the amount of information provided…
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