A 43-year-old with colon cancer used AI in 3 ways to help make treatment a little easier

Russ Read-Barrow is a 43-year-old man from the UK who was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in 2021. He has been undergoing regular chemotherapy to slow the progression of the disease and prevent further growth in his lungs and liver. To help manage the symptoms, medications, and emotional challenges that come with living with incurable cancer, Read-Barrow has used artificial intelligence in three ways.

Firstly, he created a chemotherapy symptom tracker using AI in 2025. He would record a 30-second voice note detailing his symptoms each day after chemo and use the data to identify patterns and predict when he would feel exhausted. Secondly, he utilized an AI tool called Gemini Notebook to create a centralized hub for all his medical records.

With all of his medical information in one place, he can quickly access test results, doctor's notes, and other relevant data whenever he needs it. Finally, Read-Barrow has used AI to summarize his medical history in 500 words, which he can then share with new medical providers, such as gym trainers, massage therapists, or other doctors, to help them quickly understand his health history.