Thyroid Cancer

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Thyroid cancer is a serious disease that develops when abnormal cancerous cells start growing in your thyroid gland. The latter is a small butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck. It produces hormones that are very important for your general health. Thyroid hormones regulate your metabolism and help your body work normally. So, it is very important to take care of this organ and keep it healthy:

Thyroid cancer is a rare type of cancer, and it is most common in people in their 30s and people over the age of 60. Nearly 3 out of 4 cases are diagnosed in women. According to the American Cancer Society, about 56,870 new cases of thyroid cancer were found in the United States in 2017.

Most people who have thyroid cancer usually recover and back to normal life because this type of cancer is typically diagnosed in the early stages when the treatment is effective. In some cases, cancer may come back, even in years after treatment.

Why does thyroid cancer occur?

Scientists don’t know exactly what causes thyroid cancer. Like other types of cancer, changes in the DNA probably play a significant role. These changes in your cells can be inherited or may happen with age.

What are the most common symptoms?

The symptoms include:

1. A lump or swelling in the neck; it is the most common sign, but remember that only 1 in 20 neck lumps are cancerous.

2. Swollen glands in the neck.

3. Pain in the neck, in some cases in the ears.

4. Trouble swallowing.

5. A voice may become hoarse for no reason.

6. A cough and sore throat without a cold.

See your doctor if you suspect that something is wrong with your thyroid gland, or you have any of these signs. The symptoms can be caused by other conditions, such as enlarged thyroid. However, it is very important to get your thyroid checked regularly. Some people with thyroid cancer haven’t any symptoms, and in these cases, doctors may discover a nodule or lump in the neck during a physical exam.

The risk factors for thyroid cancer are the following:

- age;

- being female;

- high levels of radiation (for example, after nuclear power accidents);

- family history of thyroid problems or thyroid cancer;

- certain inherited health conditions, such as familial polyposis and Gardner’s syndrome;

- radiation treatments to the neck, head, or chest during childhood.

When a person has a risk factor, it doesn’t mean that he or she will get the disease. However, it is essential to pay more attention to your thyroid gland if your risk is higher.

Can thyroid cancer be prevented?

Unfortunately, most cases of thyroid cancer can’t be prevented. But you are more probably to develop medullary thyroid cancer if you have a gene that carried in some families. A special genetic test can show if you have this gene. The positive result means that you should talk to your doctor about removing your thyroid gland to prevent thyroid cancer in the future.