Can Thyroid Cancer be Prevented? YES! 6 WAYS YOU CAN START NOW
The critical role that the thyroid can play on so many aspects of your well being is amazing, making it that much more important that we understand it. If this small gland becomes out of sync with our body for any reason the side effects will be felt and a lot of the time they become difficult to pin on the thyroid.
There are however some visual tells that should make it difficult to ignore. Although we cannot fully eliminate the threat of thyroid cancer we can do our part to prevent it as much as we can. According to the Clayman Thyroid Center thyroid cancer was the fastest growing cancer in the United states and that is due to the ability to detect it. Thyroid Cancer is also amongst the 5th most common cancer in women. A couple other facts:
Since 1970 thyroid cancer has doubled
The 5 year survival rate for thyroid cancer is 98% with long term survival at 95% or higher.
In order to help prevent it, it's important to detect any signs of it early. But how can we do that? How can we prevent thyroid cancer?
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Who is at Risk for Thyroid Cancer?
Anything that increases your chance to develop cancer would potentially make your risk to it higher. But anyone is at risk of developing thyroid cancer. Some may have many factors that would cause them to develop thyroid cancer and never do. Knowing some of these risk factors may be able to help you stay informed and make certain choices:
Gender - 3 out of every 4 thyroid cancers are diagnosed to women
Radiation - moderate radiation to the head and neck may increase your risk to thyroid cancer
Race- White and Asian people are more likely to develop thyroid cancer
Breast cancer A recent study showed that breast cancer survivors may have a higher risk of thyroid cancer, particularly in the first 5 years after diagnosis
Genetics - Your genes and family history can play a role in thyroid cancer.
Age - Two thirds of all cases are found in those ages 20 to 55 and anaplastic thyroid cancer is more often diagnosed in those over 60.
Research your family history
Do you know if anyone in your family may have had thyroid issues? If you find that thyroid cancer or thyroid disease may be a real possibility, doing your research can help you understand some of the possibilities and preventions that you may be able to take.
In order to prevent thyroid cancer, it's important to get lab tests and an ultrasound. If you feel or see a nodule, visit your doctor to start the process. Some of the tests may include:
Fine Needle Aspiration - This is a biopsy of a growth or nodule. This is a very thin needle that will remove cells from the nodule or lump on or near your thyroid gland. Local anesthesia will be used and normally this isn't painful. There is soreness afterward, but most patients are back to normal within 24 hours.
CT Scan - is commonly used for the screening, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. This test for thyroid cancer is usually used to see if the disease has spread to other areas of the body, but it may also sometimes be used to guide the biopsy needle.
MRI - An MRI is used to create detailed pictures of the inside of the body. Using radiofrequency waves, powerful magnets and a computer, MRI’s can differentiate between normal and diseased tissue.
Nuclear medicine scan - This is the most common test done for thyroid cancer patients. Patients swallow a small amount of radioactive iodine or I-123. This test can help find thyroid cancer cells along with what type of cancer cells (papillary, follicular, Hürthle). This test can also determine if the cancer has spread anywhere else in the body. Your doctor will then place a camera in front of your neck to measure your levels of radiation. Any areas that are abnormal in your body will absorb less radioactive iodine.
Ultrasound - An ultrasound helps doctors determine the size of nodules on or around the thyroid and see how many are present. It may also help determine whether the nodule is solid or filled with fluid. This information will be helpful, as solid nodules have a higher risk of being cancerous.
Living a healthy lifestyle can impact the development of thyroid cancer
Hearing this time and time again can be exhausting. Some can live a healthy lifestyle and still be diagnosed with thyroid cancer, it's true. But living a healthy lifestyle can greatly reduce your chances of developing it. As with everything else in life, there is no guarantee that what we do will work 100% to reduce thyroid cancer, but what we can do is commit wholeheartedly to our here and now and make conscious decisions about our well being.
Living a healthy lifestyle does not imply drinking green juices daily, and exercising 3-4 hours a day. You can start by removing toxic relationships, stressors, and taking that walk you seem to always put off. Every little step toward your end goal becomes a good habit.
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Talk to your doctor about your concerns and family history. Your doctor will be able to determine what types of tests you should get to find out if you have valid concerns. If you have a nodule on your neck, get it checked.
Ask for a Thyroid Collar During X-Rays
Your thyroid gland is the most vulnerable part of your head and neck area. If you are going to have X-rays done anywhere on your head or neck it's important to ask for a thyroid collar. A thyroid collar looks like the neck of a turtleneck sweater and it's lined with lead. This collar will protect your thyroid gland from radiation exposure.
Smoking puts you at a higher risk of developing Graves’ disease that can also lead to eye complications. There are toxins in cigarettes that negatively affect your thyroid by blocking the production of thyroid hormones.
Doing what we can to prevent thyroid cancer, especially if we have a family history or higher risk factors is a good first step in our journey to live a long happy life. Being proactive about your thyroid may not guarantee that you will not develop thyroid cancer, but it can maximize your chances of detecting and dealing with it early enough to eliminate it completely.
Introduction to Thyroid Cancer Prevention
Thyroid Cancer: Risk Factors
Diagnosing thyroid cancer
Self Care - The Essential Step of Your Hypothyroidism Journey
8 Exercises you should try if you have hypothyroidism
Influence of cigarette smoking on thyroid gland — an update