Lay summary
Cancers of the bowel and pancreas cause many deaths in New Zealand. At present, doctors use tests that are not always accurate to decide how aggressive a patient’s cancer is and what treatment they need. This research aims to create better tools to predict how these cancers will behave. We will use new artificial intelligence (AI) methods to study digital images of biopsy samples, combined with other patient information, to develop a tool that can more accurately show if a patient needs extra treatment or can avoid unnecessary surgery. Our team will scan tissue samples, develop and test the AI models, and check them against real patient results. This will help doctors make better decisions, leading to more personalised treatment, fewer side effects, and better survival rates. By targeting treatment more precisely, our research will save healthcare costs and deliver better outcomes and value for New Zealanders.