Using a chatbot to assess hereditary cancer risk

• Authors: Brandon M Welch, Medical University of South Carolina; Caitlin G Allen, Emory University; Jordon B Ritchie, Medical University of South Carolina; Heath Morrison, ItRunsInMyFamily; Chanita Hughes-Halbert, MUSC College of Medicine; Joshua D Schiffman, The University of Utah
• Journal Title: JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics
• Volume: Volume 4
• Publisher: American Society of Clinical Oncology | 2020-01-01, Pages 787-793
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1200/CCI.20.00014
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Public Health
• Keywords: Adult; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Medical History Taking; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Social Media; United States

Abstract

PURPOSE We developed a Web-based chatbot (ItRunsInMyFamily.com) to help individuals collect their family health history (FHx) and determine their risk for hereditary cancer. The purpose of the current study was to assess the characteristics of users and identify opportunities to improve the FHx collection tool. METHODS During Family Health History Month (November 2019) we launched an FHx campaign using social media advertisements to raise awareness about hereditary cancers and encourage individuals in the general population to use ItRunsInMyFamily to collect their FHx. Through this campaign, we were able to gather information about users and identify opportunities to improve the tool. RESULTS We reached 14,140 users in November 2019 through online marketing campaigns—Facebook, Google, previous ItRuns users, and Web site marketing. Of those, 3,204 completed the full FHx assessment and received risk recommendations. The campaign targeted women between age 40 and 60 years. Users came from 3,783 counties around the United States, 48 unique cancers were reported among probands, and 79 unique cancers were reported among family members, an average of two and a half cancers per family. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate that it is possible to gather FHx information at the population level, with high levels of engagement and interest in the topic. There is room for future enhancements and improvements to ItRunsInMyFamily to broaden its reach and encourage individuals to learn about and record their health information.