diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index e773c7010..65e3edf97 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 * The `ui.Chat()` component also gains the following:
     * The `.on_user_submit()` decorator method now passes the user input to the decorated function. This makes it a bit easier to access the user input. See the new templates (mentioned below) for examples. (#1801)
     * The assistant icon is now configurable via `ui.chat_ui()` (or the `ui.Chat.ui()` method in Shiny Express) or for individual messages in the `.append_message()` and `.append_message_stream()` methods of `ui.Chat()`. (#1853)
-    * A new `get_latest_stream_result()` method was added for an easy way to access the final result of the stream when it completes. (#1846)
+    * A new `latest_message_stream` property was added for an easy way to reactively read the stream's status, result, and also cancel an in progress stream. (#1846)
     * The `.append_message_stream()` method now returns the `reactive.extended_task` instance that it launches. (#1846)
     * The `ui.Chat()` component's `.update_user_input()` method gains `submit` and `focus` options that allow you to submit the input on behalf of the user and to choose whether the input receives focus after the update. (#1851)
 
diff --git a/shiny/ui/_chat.py b/shiny/ui/_chat.py
index 7f8adbeb5..1125c2e0c 100644
--- a/shiny/ui/_chat.py
+++ b/shiny/ui/_chat.py
@@ -210,9 +210,13 @@ def __init__(
                 reactive.Value(None)
             )
 
-            self._latest_stream: reactive.Value[
-                reactive.ExtendedTask[[], str] | None
-            ] = reactive.Value(None)
+            @reactive.extended_task
+            async def _mock_task() -> str:
+                return ""
+
+            self._latest_stream: reactive.Value[reactive.ExtendedTask[[], str]] = (
+                reactive.Value(_mock_task)
+            )
 
             # TODO: deprecate messages once we start promoting managing LLM message
             # state through other means
@@ -669,32 +673,34 @@ async def _handle_error():
 
         return _stream_task
 
-    def get_latest_stream_result(self) -> str | None:
+    @property
+    def latest_message_stream(self) -> reactive.ExtendedTask[[], str]:
         """
-        Reactively read the latest message stream result.
+        React to changes in the latest message stream.
+
+        Reactively reads for the :class:`~shiny.reactive.ExtendedTask` behind the
+        latest message stream.
 
-        This method reads a reactive value containing the result of the latest
-        `.append_message_stream()`. Therefore, this method must be called in a reactive
-        context (e.g., a render function, a :func:`~shiny.reactive.calc`, or a
-        :func:`~shiny.reactive.effect`).
+        From the return value (i.e., the extended task), you can then:
+
+        1. Reactively read for the final `.result()`.
+        2. `.cancel()` the stream.
+        3. Check the `.status()` of the stream.
 
         Returns
         -------
         :
-            The result of the latest stream (a string).
+            An extended task that represents the streaming task. The `.result()` method
+            of the task can be called in a reactive context to get the final state of the
+            stream.
 
-        Raises
-        ------
-        :
-            A silent exception if no stream has completed yet.
+        Note
+        ----
+        If no stream has yet been started when this method is called, then it returns an
+        extended task with `.status()` of `"initial"` and that it status doesn't change
+        state until a message is streamed.
         """
-        stream = self._latest_stream()
-        if stream is None:
-            from .. import req
-
-            req(False)
-        else:
-            return stream.result()
+        return self._latest_stream()
 
     async def _append_message_stream(
         self,
diff --git a/tests/playwright/shiny/components/chat/stream-result/app.py b/tests/playwright/shiny/components/chat/stream-result/app.py
index 34e254408..b16a1b213 100644
--- a/tests/playwright/shiny/components/chat/stream-result/app.py
+++ b/tests/playwright/shiny/components/chat/stream-result/app.py
@@ -20,5 +20,5 @@ async def _(message: str):
 
 
 @render.code
-async def stream_result_ui():
-    return chat.get_latest_stream_result()
+async def stream_result():
+    return chat.latest_message_stream.result()
diff --git a/tests/playwright/shiny/components/chat/stream-result/test_chat_stream_result.py b/tests/playwright/shiny/components/chat/stream-result/test_chat_stream_result.py
index 8d6c216da..eaa08fc57 100644
--- a/tests/playwright/shiny/components/chat/stream-result/test_chat_stream_result.py
+++ b/tests/playwright/shiny/components/chat/stream-result/test_chat_stream_result.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ def test_validate_chat_stream_result(page: Page, local_app: ShinyAppProc) -> Non
     page.goto(local_app.url)
 
     chat = controller.Chat(page, "chat")
-    stream_result_ui = controller.OutputCode(page, "stream_result_ui")
+    stream_result = controller.OutputCode(page, "stream_result")
 
     expect(chat.loc).to_be_visible(timeout=10 * 1000)
 
@@ -34,4 +34,4 @@ def test_validate_chat_stream_result(page: Page, local_app: ShinyAppProc) -> Non
     chat.expect_messages(re.compile(r"\s*".join(messages)), timeout=30 * 1000)
 
     # Verify that the stream result is as expected
-    stream_result_ui.expect.to_contain_text("Message 9")
+    stream_result.expect.to_contain_text("Message 9")