A new study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine has shown that the AI chatbot, ChatGPT, can accurately answer questions about breast cancer around 88% of the time. The researchers tested the chatbot by asking 25 questions about breast cancer screening three times and found that ChatGPT correctly answered 22 of them. The chatbot provided accurate information on breast cancer symptoms, risk factors, and mammograms. However, the researchers noted that ChatGPT’s answers were not as comprehensive as a Google search and that it can provide misleading information at times.
One example of misinformation was when ChatGPT suggested delaying mammograms for four to six weeks after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, a recommendation that is no longer valid. Additionally, the chatbot had trouble providing consistent responses when asked about personal risk of breast cancer and where to get a mammogram. The researchers also discovered that ChatGPT occasionally invents fake journal articles or health organizations to support its answers.
Despite the potential for error, the researchers emphasized that ChatGPT and other AI tools are still beneficial for providing general health information to the public. However, they caution individuals to verify any health advice they receive with a qualified healthcare professional. In addition to breast cancer detection, the researchers are currently testing ChatGPT’s accuracy in providing advice on lung cancer screening. They also plan to improve the chatbot’s advice to ensure it is accurate, comprehensive, and easy to understand for everyone.
As AI technologies like ChatGPT continue to evolve, the medical community needs to test these tools to protect patients from any potential harm that may result from incorrect screening recommendations or outdated health strategies. If you are interested in learning more about health, studies have shown that beetroot juice can boost muscle force during exercise, and vitamin D supplements can reduce cancer deaths. Additionally, recent studies have shown that olive oil may help you live longer, and antioxidants may help reduce the risk of dementia.
