A woman in the United States says an everyday kitchen appliance may have played a role in her cancer diagnosis after doctors first told her it was simply bad luck.
Schayene Silva, a mother of two, began feeling unwell soon after moving into a new home. She had symptoms such as heartburn, coughing, vomiting, and panic attacks. She visited several doctors, but was told she was too young to have cancer. An MRI later revealed a tumor on her kidney, which was diagnosed as early-stage kidney cancer. The tumor was removed, and she is now cancer-free.
After her diagnosis, Schayene tried to understand what caused the illness. She noticed her symptoms started after moving into the house. She tested the home for mold and then opened the built-in ice machine. Inside, she found heavy mold growth.
Looking for answers, she used OpenAI’s ChatGPT to learn more about possible links between mold and kidney problems. This led her to request a toxin test. The results showed very high levels of Ochratoxin A, a mold-related toxin.
According to the World Health Organization, Ochratoxin can damage the kidneys. While a direct link to cancer in humans is not confirmed, Schayene stopped using the ice machine immediately. She says her symptoms improved quickly.
OpenAI later stressed that ChatGPT is meant for information only and should not replace medical care.