Dublin – A 37-year-old father from Ireland has revealed how he delayed seeking medical attention after an AI chatbot reassured him that cancer was “highly unlikely,” only to later be diagnosed with stage four oesophageal cancer.
Warren Tierney, from Killarney in County Kerry, began experiencing throat pain and difficulty swallowing earlier this year. Instead of visiting a doctor immediately, he turned to ChatGPT for advice. The AI suggested his symptoms pointed to muscular strain and even wrote, “Cancer? Highly unlikely — no red-flag symptoms, stable, improving.”
Tierney told the Daily Mail that this misplaced reassurance contributed to his delay in seeking medical care. Doctors have since confirmed he has adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus, a serious cancer with a five-year survival rate of just 5–10%.
“I Relied Too Much on AI”
Tierney admitted that he fell into the belief that medical issues could be self-managed, avoiding the doctor until symptoms worsened. “ChatGPT probably delayed me getting serious attention… I know that probably cost me a couple of months. I’m a living example of how we have to be super careful when using AI,” he said.
He added that his mistrust of the Irish healthcare system also played a role. A doctor initially prescribed reflux tablets before his wife urged him to go to A&E, where the cancer was finally detected.
Family Struggles and Hope Abroad
Tierney’s wife Evelyn has launched a fundraising campaign to explore treatment options outside Ireland, where only palliative care is available. “Warren is our rock, our children’s hero, and the heart of our family. We cannot imagine a world without him,” she said.
Tierney now spends his time balancing medical consultations with moments with his children. “Every day is the most stressful day of my life trying to find a cure or someone who will take me as a candidate. At the same time, I want to spend my remaining life with my kids, not just chasing survival,” he said.
A Cautionary Tale
The case highlights growing concerns about the use of AI chatbots for medical advice. While such tools can provide general guidance, experts stress they should never replace professional diagnosis or treatment.
Source: Express | Daily Mail
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