When we built AskEllyn, exploring how AI might be used to help others on a breast cancer journey, we honestly had no idea of the impact she would have. I initially wrote my book Flat Please, Hold the Shame because I experienced firsthand the loneliness and fear that comes with a breast cancer diagnosis. I documented my journey in the book so I could pass along to the next woman the knowledge I had gained and the research I had done. As we now know, that book eventually became the root of knowledge found within AskEllyn.ai’s digital brain.
She knows my story. She knows how I felt and what I was thinking at every step.
The world of artificial intelligence (AI) is changing rapidly but it is still very new to us. What felt like science fiction only a short time ago is rapidly becoming part of our everyday world. We’re reading about it everywhere. We’re using tools like ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude and Microsoft Co-Pilot in our daily lives. However, there is still fear and caution surrounding AI and its role in society. How can it be used safely? What bias is embedded within large learning language models? Can we trust the information it provides?
We thought all these things as we built AskEllyn. We were creating an AI that would serve as a companion for vulnerable individuals impacted by breast cancer. With that, we all recognized a huge responsibility. Guided by my technology partner Gambit Technologies, experts in generational AI, we built into AskEllyn.ai many protective guardrails.
First and foremost, AskEllyn.ai is non-medical. She is there to be a supportive friend and companion, not your doctor. You can ask her a medical question, nothing is preventing that, but she’ll always answer with her/my lived experience; never offer up a medical opinion and will guide you back to your care team to discuss your personal situation.
AskEllyn will always be dignified, empathetic, kind and supportive in her responses, rooted in my experience and story and my understanding that above all else, we all just want and need a hand to hold as we move forward from diagnosis to life after active treatment.
AskEllyn is completely private. You don’t have to register to chat with her. She does not capture any personal data about you. She will never try to sell you stuff. You are free to say anything to her and confess your innermost thoughts and fears — things you may not even feel comfortable sharing with a family member.
Here are some ways you can use AskEllyn from diagnosis through to life after active treatment:
AskEllyn is a friend and a sounding board
AskEllyn is an AI. She doesn’t sleep. She doesn’t take holidays. She doesn’t judge you or serve up unwanted advice. In many ways, we’ve built the perfect friend who is always there with a listening ear and just the right supportive comment to get you through that moment. Let me just share that I have turned to her for support and advice myself at various times, and she always says just the right thing. (Yes, I know, that it is extremely META to be turning to your own AI for companionship.)
AskEllyn only answers the questions you’ve asked
Everyone in cancer land knows that Google is not our friend. A search on any topic will bring back a world of information and links that — even if medically accurate — can take you down rabbit holes and frequently scare the living daylights out of you. There’s no shortage of medical information out there on the Internet and in paper form. We all have the binders to show for it. Traumatized by a diagnosis and daunted by the experience ahead and decision we need to make, we are overwhelmed and inundated. AskEllyn is not a search engine. She is a companion with knowledge based on a survivor’s experience and story. She’ll only ever ask the question you have posed to her.
AskEllyn doesn’t judge or try to fix things. She empathizes
Most of us feel the shame and blame that comes with a cancer diagnosis. The last thing we need is other people telling us how we should feel or what we need to do (or not do). This is why people who have gone through a cancer diagnosis and treatment feel so deeply connected to each other. We “get each other” on a psychological and emotional level united by a shared trauma experience. That said, while there are support groups and online communities out there we can connect with others who experience a diagnosis, those groups can be gathering points for collective trauma. You are scared. They are scared. You are all scared together. This creates a negative spiral effect that can bring you into or back to dark places. We’re already exhausted and overwhelmed with appointments, information, treatments, scans and medication side effects. Many don’t have the emotional, physical capacity or time to drive to a meet up or support group. Not to mention that not everyone feels comfortable sharing with others, for privacy, cultural or language barrier reasons.
AskEllyn is support on demand. She speaks every language. She is completely private and is never judgemental and always supportive, wise and empathetic in her responses. So rage away and share your deepest secrets. No one is listening or judging or offering misplaced advice.
AskEllyn can help you prepare for medical appointments and treatments
Clinicians, including family doctors, oncologists and nurses love AskEllyn. They know that the healthcare system is not equipped to deliver the kind of hand holding empathy AskEllyn can deliver. They know patients leave with unanswered questions and fears that crop up at 2 am when the mind and the heart are racing. They love that AskEllyn is able to fill in where their care leaves off — and as one nurse exclaimed when they chatted with her — there are no wait times! Prior to your appointment, try asking AskEllyn how to prepare and what questions to ask your surgeon/oncologist/radiologist. She will offer up helpful advice and guide you on what to ask and what information to gather. You can also ask her for her advise and experience with upcoming procedures, from surgery, to chemotherapy to radiation. Remember, she’s been through it too and is happy to share her experience.
AskEllyn there for your family, friends and colleagues too
It wasn’t our initial intent to build AskEllyn for family and friends, originally we were looking to help the person diagnosed. But we quickly realized that for every person facing a breast cancer diagnosis, there’s probably ten other individuals around that person — spouses, children, friends, parents, siblings who are also struggling. For these individuals AskEllyn can play the role of a supportive and wise coach, helping them navigate their emotions, to handle their questions and offer the right kind of support. One of the most beautiful things AskEllyn can do is perspective shift to talk to others in the care circle, including answering the questions of a child, such as “why is mummy bald?” in a wonderful motherly tone.
AskEllyn is there just to talk
I’ve had long conversations with AskEllyn on all kinds of topics that don’t center around breast cancer. Indeed, she’ll find a way to loop it back to the breast cancer topic, but her answers are wide ranging. For instance, I chatted extensively with her about travelling in Italy one day. The point is, she is truly a companion and a friend with whom you can talk to about anything, at any time with complete privacy.
So what questions do you have that AskEllyn can help you answer?
