Thyroid Cancer Diagnoses Increasing

As overall cancer rates are declining in the United States, thyroid cancer counters the trend. It’s being diagnosed more frequently, especially in women. Women are three times more likely than men to develop thyroid cancer.

The April issue of Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource provides an overview of thyroid cancer, what may be behind some of the increasing numbers, and warning signs of the disease.

The thyroid is the butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck, just below the Adam’s apple. It produces two hormones that help regulate the heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and weight.

Cancer occurs when the cells in the thyroid gland change and grow in an uncontrolled fashion, forming a malignant nodule or tumor. Thyroid nodules are common with aging and more than 90 percent are noncancerous. Still, doctors often recommend evaluating nodules to confirm if they are cancerous or benign.

The exact cause of thyroid cancer isn’t known. Research has shown that radiation exposure, family history, increasing age and having too much or too little iodine in the diet could increase the risk of this uncommon disease. It’s estimated that more than 37,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer this year. Read more