In 2023, about 44,000 Americans were diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Although thyroid cancer is not as common as breast, prostate, lung, or colon cancer, it can still be serious.
So, let’s talk about the role of the thyroid, risk factors for thyroid cancer, and the signs and symptoms you need to be aware of.
What Does the Thyroid Do?
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck. It makes hormones that help the body regulate metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.
Even though it is small, the thyroid plays a big role in how our bodies function.
What Are the Risk Factors?
There are several risk factors for developing thyroid cancer. Talk to your doctor if you have at least four of the following risk factors:
- Gender. Women are three times more likely than men to have thyroid cancer.
- Age. Although it can affect children and young adults, thyroid cancer is typically diagnosed in people between the ages of 45 and 64.
- Race. White and Asian people are at highest risk for developing thyroid cancer.
- Family history. Individuals whose grandparents, parents, or siblings have thyroid disorders, including thyroid cancer, can be more susceptible to it.
- History of other cancers. People who have been diagnosed with cancer, particularly breast or ovarian cancer, are at increased risk for developing thyroid cancer.
- Radiation exposure. Studies show that moderate radiation exposure to the head and neck, especially in childhood, increases the risk for developing thyroid cancer.
- High or low iodine levels. Iodine helps the thyroid function properly. Yogurt, seafood, eggs, and enriched bread and pasta are good sources of iodine. Not getting enough iodine or consuming too much iodine are both risk factors for thyroid cancer.
- Being overweight. In general, individuals with a high body mass index (BMI) are at higher risk for developing most types of cancer, including thyroid cancer.
Although factors like age, race, and family history can’t be changed, you can reduce your cancer risk by being active, eating a balanced diet, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Look out for These Symptoms
Thyroid cancer is slow-growing, so it may take a while for symptoms to appear. The most common symptoms include:
- A lump in your neck
- Swollen lymph nodes around your neck
- Pain in your neck and throat
- Vocal changes (e.g., hoarseness)
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Persistent cough
If you have any of these symptoms for more than two weeks, talk to your doctor. They can evaluate these symptoms and determine next steps.
Diagnosing Thyroid Cancer
Certain cancers, like breast or prostate cancer, have recommended preventive screening schedules so people get tested for cancer at certain ages, based on their risk factors. There are currently no age-based recommendations for thyroid cancer screening.
However, a basic thyroid exam can be performed by your doctor during an annual physical. The doctor will touch the area around your neck to feel for any lumps.
If your doctor notices anything unusual, they will likely order bloodwork to measure your thyroid function. They might also order an ultrasound or a CT scan so they can get a picture of the thyroid.
Depending on these results, a biopsy might also be ordered. A biopsy is the most sensitive test for thyroid cancer.
Since a hands-on examination by a doctor is often the first step in diagnosis, anyone with concerns about thyroid cancer should schedule an in-person visit with their doctor, rather than a virtual telemedicine visit.
Treating Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid cancer has a high cure rate when it’s caught early. Most people live healthy lives after treatment.
Typically, the first step in treating thyroid cancer is to surgically remove the tumor or the affected part of the thyroid. The doctor might also recommend radioactive iodine therapy.
Some treatments can affect the thyroid’s ability to function, so doctors may prescribe hormone therapy to supplement or replace the thyroid’s hormone production.
Equal Care for All
White people are more frequently diagnosed with thyroid cancer, but people of color are more likely to be diagnosed at advanced stages, which can lead to poorer health outcomes. The American Thyroid Association is addressing these inequities by increasing physician education, providing patients with greater access to care, and conducting research on more diverse, inclusive populations.
Catching thyroid cancer in its earliest stages, when it’s most treatable, can greatly increase your chance of survival. Talk to your doctor about your risks. And make a thyroid exam part of your annual physical.
