EVITA, a Portuguese non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the lives of individuals affected by hereditary cancer, is calling for partners to join forces in the development of an AI-powered chatbot for genetic pre-test counseling in hereditary cancer syndromes. The chatbot would address a significant gap in healthcare by providing scalable, accessible pre-test counseling for individuals considering genetic testing for hereditary cancer mutations, such as BRCA1/2.
Hereditary cancer syndromes account for approximately 10% of all global cancer cases, and genetic counseling plays a crucial role in helping individuals understand their risks before undergoing genetic testing. However, access to genetic counseling remains limited due to healthcare constraints. EVITA envisions an AI chatbot as a supportive tool designed to enhance genetic literacy by providing scientifically validated information about various hereditary cancer syndromes, thereby helping users make informed decisions regarding their condition management.
As a patient-centered organization, EVITA seeks partners already working on or interested in this innovative field. By joining forces, EVITA can bring its expertise as patient representatives to the table, ensuring that the voices and needs of carriers and patients are front and center in the development process.
This collaboration is an opportunity to revolutionize cancer prevention by making genetic support more widely available, raising awareness about hereditary cancer syndromes and ensuring that individuals at risk of hereditary cancer can receive the support they need. EVITA’s platform, launched in February 2024, has already demonstrated the power of digital tools in facilitating the identification of hereditary cancer mutation carriers. In 1 year, the platform attracted nearly 3.000 registered users, indicative of significant public interest. This notable interest highlights the relevance and effectiveness of digital tools in empowering individuals to proactively manage their hereditary cancer risk.
Join EVITA in the fight against hereditary cancer. Together, we can create accessible solutions that transform the landscape of cancer prevention and early detection.
Discover more about EVITA:
EVITA is a portuguese non-profit patient organisation, that, since 2011, is on a mission to save lives and improve the quality-of-life of oncology patients and individuals as well as families affected by hereditary cancer. EVITA’s president, Tamara Milagre, is a certified Patient Expert by the European Patients Academy (EUPATI), a member of the ePAG Council at the European Reference Network GENTURIS and an active member of National Cancer Hub Portugal. She passionately advocates for the prevention and treatment of sporadic and hereditary cancers and supports people who deal with the risk factors associated with these diseases. Tamara Milagre has been distinguished by the Portuguese Minister of Research and Education and received the Medal of Scientific Merit 2020
