Assessment of the impact on chemotherapy decision-making and cost effectiveness of the integration of the digital biomarker test OncoProg into early stage colon cancer treatment pathways

Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK. When it is found in its early stages (stage 2 or early stage 3), the main treatment is usually an operation to remove the tumour. After surgery, doctors often discuss chemotherapy. Chemotherapy aims to kill any tiny cancer cells that might have been left behind, reducing the chance of the cancer coming back.

However, working out who actually needs chemotherapy after surgery is difficult. Many people are completely cured by surgery alone, meaning chemotherapy would not give them any extra benefit. Because chemotherapy can cause difficult side effects like sickness, severe tiredness, and nerve pain, it is important to avoid giving it to people who do not need it.

Researchers have created a digital tool called OncoProg to solve this problem. It uses artificial intelligence to scan and study digital pictures of your tumour tissue that was already removed during your routine surgery. By analysing cell patterns, it helps doctors see how likely your cancer is to return, and whether chemotherapy is likely to lower that risk.

This study is testing how well OncoProg works within routine care at NHS hospitals in the West Midlands. The goal is to give doctors and patients clearer information so they can make confident, personal choices about their care, while also helping the NHS use its resources wisely.