Warren Tierney said ChatGPT had reassured him that cancer was "highly unlikely," which led him to a delay in seeking professional medical care.
Months later, Warren was diagnosed with cancer, which has a five-year survival rate between five and ten per cent globally.
While OpenAI - the developer of ChatGPT has repeatedly stressed that its AI tool is not meant for medical diagnosis and urges users to consult qualified health professionals, many people continue to rely on it.
What were Warren's initial symptoms?

Warren said his first symptoms included pain and chronic irritation in his throat, which is when he began consulting ChatGPT instead of seeing a doctor. While over many weeks, he continued to describe his symptoms to the AI chatbot, he did not seem fit to get a doctor's appointment. ChatGPT, on the other hand, reassured him that cancer was not likely the cause of his discomfort. Warren said in one interaction, the chatbot empathetically pledged to "walk with you through every result that comes," whether cancer was present or not.
However, when his constant pain and cough did not subside, and many other symptoms became worse, he attended an emergency hospital visit where he was diagnosed with stage-four oesophageal adenocarcinoma, a life-threatening diagnosis.
What is esophageal adenocarcinoma?

According to experts, esophageal adenocarcinoma, or EAC, is a type of cancer that starts in the gland cells that produce mucus in the lower part of the esophagus, closest to the stomach. Doctors say it is often preceded by Barrett's esophagus - a precancerous condition caused by chronic acid reflux or GERD.
Esophageal adenocarcinoma has a favourable prognosis only if it is diagnosed early, when it is isolated to the mucosal and submucosal layers of the esophagus. Unfortunately, most cases are diagnosed at a late stage, when the prognosis is dismal. According to studies, the five-year overall survival rate of patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma is less than 20 per cent, comparable to that of patients who have liver, lung, or pancreas cancer. And so, there is a dire need for effective screening strategies to diagnose it earlier.
Signs and symptoms of esophageal adenocarcinoma

Most patients with early-stage esophageal adenocarcinoma are over age 65 and have no symptoms. However, the ones who have it include:

• Difficulty swallowing food and water


• Pain in your throat or back, behind your breastbone, or between your shoulder blades


• Vomiting or coughing up blood


• Heartburn


• Hoarseness or chronic cough


• Unintentional weight loss

What are the risk factors for esophageal adenocarcinoma?

While the exact cause of this cancer is not known, a few risk factors for esophageal adenocarcinoma include:
Tobacco
This includes smoking and using smokeless tobacco
Alcohol

Chronic and heavy use of alcohol increases the risk of esophageal cancer
Obesity

Being overweight or having obesity causes inflammation in your esophagus that could become cancer.
HPV

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a common virus that can cause tissue changes in your vocal cords and mouth and on your hands, feet, and genitals.
History of cancer

Those who have had cancer of the neck or head have a greater risk of esophageal cancer.