ChatGPT Predicted Blood Cancer Diagnosis a Year Before Doctors Confirmed It
Discover how artificial intelligence helped detect a life-threatening disease long before traditional medical tests.
When Marly Garnreiter experienced unexplained symptoms like night sweats and persistent skin irritation, she never imagined artificial intelligence would correctly predict her diagnosis — long before doctors did. Her story sheds light on the growing role of AI in healthcare, and why self-advocacy remains critical.
Early Symptoms Dismissed as Anxiety
In early 2024, 27-year-old Marly Garnreiter, mourning the recent death of her father from colon cancer, began experiencing worrying symptoms. Night sweats, itchy skin, and overwhelming fatigue plagued her daily life. Initially, doctors found no abnormalities, and Garnreiter attributed her issues to emotional stress and anxiety.
Turning to ChatGPT for Answers
Frustrated by the lack of clarity, Garnreiter decided to input her symptoms into ChatGPT. The AI suggested a possible diagnosis of blood cancer — a response she and her friends found alarming, yet easy to dismiss. Encouraged to trust traditional medicine, she set aside the chatbot’s prediction.
Symptoms Worsen and Diagnosis Confirmed
Months later, Garnreiter's condition deteriorated. Persistent chest pain and extreme fatigue prompted her to seek further medical help. Imaging tests soon revealed a mass on her left lung, and subsequent biopsies confirmed she had Hodgkin lymphoma, a rare but treatable form of blood cancer affecting the lymphatic system.
Remarkably, the AI’s initial suggestion had been accurate nearly a year prior to her official diagnosis.
Understanding Hodgkin Lymphoma
According to the Cleveland Clinic, Hodgkin lymphoma affects white blood cells and can spread rapidly if untreated. Symptoms often include:
- Persistent night sweats
- Itchy skin
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
- Chronic fatigue
Despite its seriousness, the disease has a high survival rate, with over 81% of patients surviving five years or more after diagnosis.
A Message of Awareness and Advocacy
Facing chemotherapy, Garnreiter remains positive. "I am confident about the future," she said. More importantly, she encourages others to trust their instincts and advocate for themselves. "It’s crucial to listen to our bodies. Sometimes we lose touch with our inner selves, but early action can make all the difference."
The Role of AI in Future Healthcare
While AI platforms like ChatGPT are not substitutes for medical professionals, Garnreiter’s experience suggests they could become valuable tools for preliminary health assessments. Experts agree: AI should complement medical advice, not replace it.
Marly Garnreiter’s story is a compelling reminder of the potential — and the limits — of artificial intelligence in medicine. It also reinforces a timeless truth: no one knows your body better than you.