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A mother of two credits ChatGPT for helping detect her thyroid cancer, a diagnosis that doctors missed. Despite initial misdiagnoses, the AI chatbot guided her to request tests that ultimately led to the discovery of cancer. This case highlights the potential of AI in healthcare, though experts urge caution.

Woman Says ChatGPT Helped Detect Thyroid Cancer After Doctors Missed It

In an incredible story of how artificial intelligence can impact healthcare, a North Carolina woman claims that ChatGPT, an AI-powered chatbot, saved her life by helping detect thyroid cancer when doctors missed the signs. Lauren Bannon, a 40-year-old marketing business owner and mother of two, noticed troubling symptoms beginning in early 2024. Initially, she experienced difficulty bending her fingers in the morning and evening, which she thought was a minor issue. However, after several months, doctors diagnosed her with rheumatoid arthritis, despite negative test results for the condition.

Bannon’s health continued to decline. She began experiencing severe stomach pains and rapidly lost 14 pounds in a short time. Doctors blamed these symptoms on acid reflux, but Bannon, feeling unsatisfied with this diagnosis, turned to ChatGPT for help.

When she consulted the AI tool, ChatGPT suggested that she might have Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid gland. Although she had no family history of the condition, Bannon decided to pursue further testing. In September 2024, a blood test confirmed ChatGPT’s suspicion. Doctors then performed a thyroid ultrasound and discovered two small lumps in her neck. By October 2024, the lumps were confirmed to be cancerous.

Bannon credits ChatGPT for providing the crucial information that led to her cancer diagnosis. Without the chatbot’s suggestion, she believes the cancer would have gone undetected and spread. She described her frustration with the medical professionals she encountered, feeling that they were more focused on prescribing medication than truly investigating the root cause of her symptoms.

After her diagnosis, Bannon underwent surgery to remove her thyroid and two lymph nodes. She is now under regular monitoring to ensure the cancer does not return. While she did not present typical symptoms of Hashimoto’s disease, Bannon believes her cancer would have gone undetected if not for the AI’s assistance.

“I feel lucky to be alive,” Bannon said. “I would’ve just taken the rheumatoid arthritis medication, and the cancer would’ve spread everywhere else.”

While Bannon encourages others to use AI tools like ChatGPT to explore potential health concerns, she advises caution. She emphasizes that these tools should be used to prompt further consultation with medical professionals, not as a replacement for professional care.

Healthcare experts, such as Dr. Harvey Castro, caution against relying solely on AI for medical diagnoses. While AI can assist by raising awareness and suggesting possible conditions, it cannot replace the expertise of healthcare professionals. Dr. Castro emphasizes the importance of keeping licensed medical personnel at the center of care to ensure patient safety.

Source: Fox News