2 weeks Ago By Isabel Shaw
WHEN Lauren Bannon struggled to bend her little fingers doctors she had arthritis. It wasn't until the mum-of-two disclosed her symptoms to AI messaging service Chat GPT that she later discovered she had cancer. Advertisement 6 When Lauren Bannon struggled to move her fingers doctors said she had arthritis Credit: Kennedy News 6 AI messaging service Chat GPT told her she might have Hasimoto's disease.
Credit: Kennedy News 6 After a positive test for Hashimoto's disease, Lauren underwent an ultrasound of her thyroid where doctors discovered two cancerous lumps in her neck. Credit: Kennedy News "It saved my life," the 40-year-old said, from Newry, Northern Ireland said. "I just knew that something was wrong with me.
I would've never discovered this without Chat GPT." The business owner who lives between the US Virgin Islands and Wilmington, North Carolina, US, first grew concerned about her health in February 2024 after noticing that she was struggling to bend her little fingers in the morning and evening. After four months, the 40-year-old was told by doctors she had rheumatoid arthritis despite testing negative for the condition.
Advertisement Read more on thyroid issues SUFFERING IN SILENCE GP reveals the 4 signs hidden thyroid problem is ruining your sex life ASK DR JEFF From warts to an under-active thyroid - Dr Jeff answers your health questions She then began experiencing excruciating stomach pains - losing a stone in just four weeks in September 2024, which doctors put down to acid reflux . Desperate to discover what was happening to her body, later that month the business owner disclosed her symptoms to AI messaging service Chat GPT, which said she may have Hasimoto's disease . It causes the body's immune system to mistakenly attack the thyroid gland, causing it to become inflamed and eventually underactive.
"I went to my doctors and she told me 'I couldn't have that, there was no family history of it' but I said 'just amuse me'", Lauren explained. Advertisement Most read in Health BABY TRAGEDY Heartbreak as baby girl dies after medics ‘dismissed condition as tummy bug’ ASK DR ZOE I have high blood pressure, dizziness & vomiting - and pills don't work, help! PROBE CALL Scots schoolgirl dies after suffering 60 suspected epileptic seizures in a year SILENT KILLER Lowering your blood pressure could slash your risk of dementia by 15% After a positive test for Hashimoto's disease, Lauren underwent an ultrasound of her thyroid where doctors discovered two cancerous lumps in her neck. "I felt let down by doctors," she said.
The signs and symptoms of cancer "It was almost like they were just trying to give out medication for anything to get you in and out the door." In January 2025, Lauren underwent an operation to remove her thyroid and two lymph nodes from her neck but remains under life-long monitoring to ensure the cancer doesn't return. Advertisement 'Cancer would've spread without using Chat GPT' Due to not presenting with 'typical' symptoms of Hashimoto's disease, Lauren believes the condition, and subsequent cancer diagnosis, would have remained undetected without the help of Chat GPT.
"I wasn't tired or feeling exhausted," she said - both classic signs of the condition. "If I hadn't looked on Chat GPT, I would've just taken the rheumatoid arthritis medication and the cancer would've spread from my neck to everywhere else. 6 Lauren believes the condition, and subsequent cancer diagnosis, would have remained undetected without the help of Chat GPT Credit: Kennedy News Advertisement 6 She feels 'let down' by doctors Credit: Kennedy News "The doctor said I was very lucky to have caught it so early.
I know for sure that cancer would've spread without using Chat GPT." Now, Lauren encourages others to use Chat GPT to address their health concerns. Read more on the Scottish Sun HOTTING UP Exact date 'three weeks of sunshine' to arrive in Scotland amid '25C heat surge' GROW FOR IT Shoppers run to Home Bargains for pretty £6 plant that looks like tiny dancers "Act with caution but if it gives you something to look into, ask your doctors to test you.
It can't do any harm," she said. Advertisement "I feel lucky to be alive," she added. 6 Lauren now encourages others to use Chat GPT to address their health concerns Credit: Kennedy News Hashimoto’s disease, also known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks the thyroid gland.
Over time, this can lead to an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), meaning the gland doesn’t produce enough hormones to regulate key body functions. It’s one of the most common causes of hypothyroidism in the UK and often affects women more than men. Symptoms: Tiredness Weight gain Feeling cold Constipation Depression or low mood Slow heart rate Dry skin and thinning hair Irregular or heavy periods Source: NHS.
