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<\/p>\nAn Australian cancer surgeon is warning people against using AI tools like ChatGPT to diagnose health symptoms, after testing revealed the chatbot suggested delaying medical attention for a potential breast cancer sign.<\/p>\n
Sanjay Warrier, Associate Professor of the University of Sydney with the Royal Prince Alfred Academic Institute, told Yahoo Lifestyle the advice could be dangerous, with some aggressive cancers progressing in weeks \u2014 turning delayed treatment into a life-or-death risk.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome of my more savvy patients were using AI,\u201d Warrier said.<\/p>\n
“So, I put a question into ChatGPT about redness on the breast, and it suggested that I wait a few weeks to see if it improved.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome cancers are so aggressive that a few weeks can mean the difference between life and death.\u201d<\/p>\n
Warrier said Australians’ growing reliance on ChatGPT points to the start of a worrying trend, which can make the artificial intelligence “dangerous”.<\/p>\n
“ChatGPT is not a health service,” the Council member for Breast Surgeons of Australia New Zealand said.<\/p>\n
“It cannot examine you, it cannot feel a lump, and it cannot assess your individual risk.<\/p>\n
\u201cAI cannot replace a GP or specialist.\u201d<\/p>\n
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ChatGPT’s advice after asking about breast redness. Source: Yahoo Lifestyle Australia<\/p>\n
Why are people turning to AI?<\/p>\n
In June 2024, an Australian study conducted by the University of Sydney<\/a> found 9.9 per cent of respondents had used ChatGPT to obtain health-related information during the preceding six months.<\/p>\n More concerningly, it also revealed 61 per cent had asked ChatGPT at least one higher-risk question, related to taking action that would typically require clinical advice.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s convenient and cost-efficient, and it\u2019s never nice to have an examination or talk about some symptoms, so I can understand why people are turning to AI,” Warrier said.<\/p>\n “But it comes down to the quality of the advice.”<\/p>\n False reassurance is the real risk<\/p>\n Warrier wants to spread the message that misplaced confidence is as big of a risk as misinformation.<\/p>\n “If an online tool suggests something is likely benign, some people will delay seeking proper care,” he said.<\/p>\n And for those on the edge of denial or who have other barriers in getting to a GP, it can provide false reassurance, justifying their delay.<\/p>\n \u201cOur biggest driver for outcome is picking up symptoms early,\u201d Warrier said, reiterating that a delay can be deadly.<\/p>\n “Time matters,” he said.<\/p>\n “You should not be typing [symptoms] into a chatbot hoping for reassurance.<\/p>\n “You should be booking an appointment.”<\/p>\n The breast cancer specialist said ‘technology can support healthcare, but it cannot substitute it’. Source: Sanjay Warrier<\/p>\n Symptoms aren\u2019t simple \u2014 and AI can\u2019t see the full picture<\/p>\n Every health symptom could point to a myriad of different conditions, as we all know from experience with \u201cDr\u201d Google.<\/p>\n For example, typing “fatigued” into into Google or AI like ChatGPT throws up causes as disparate as lifestyle to diabetes.<\/p>\n \u201cYou lose perceptibility using AI,\u201d Warrier said.<\/p>\n On the other hand, he said AI can struggle to put symptoms into proper context.<\/p>\n While it provides general information, it can\u2019t pick up subtle physical changes or factor in your personal medical history.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to see that AI is not gospel,” he said.<\/p>\n “The perfect answer is not there yet, particularly in health.”<\/p>\n Warrier stressed the warning isn\u2019t about rejecting technology altogether, but understanding its limits.<\/p>\n He said AI can be useful for improving health awareness and helping people learn about potential symptoms.<\/p>\n However, it cannot replace clinical judgement or a proper medical examination.<\/p>\n If something feels unusual, changes persist or concern lingers, he urged people not to rely on chatbot reassurance and instead seek professional advice.<\/p>\n \u201cTechnology can support healthcare, but it cannot substitute it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Want the latest lifestyle and entertainment news? Make sure to follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram, <\/a>and TikTok<\/a>. <\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/93110400-11fd-11f1-bf73-9e465b2c53f0.jpeg\"\/)
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