Thyroid cancer warning signs not to be ignored

When compared to other cancers, researchers found that the survival rate for thyroid cancer patients is nearly 98%.

Nowadays, the rate of people suffering from thyroid cancer is increasing. But notably, women face the risk of developing this disease 8 times higher than men.

Thyroid cancer can occur at any age, but is most common in people in their 30s and older adults. About 2% of patients are children and adolescents.

Scientists have not yet found the official cause of the disease, but they believe that radiation to the head and neck is one of the factors that make up thyroid cancer. In addition, a low iodine diet also causes this cancer.

Thyroid cancer is divided into many types, of which papillary thyroid cancer is the most common, accounting for about 85% and is the easiest to treat.

The most common and advanced treatment today is radioactive iodine to destroy thyroid cancer cells and prevent the spread, destroying remaining thyroid cells.

Before treatment, patients are often advised to limit or even stop iodine supplementation.

When compared to other cancers, researchers found that the survival rate for thyroid cancer patients is nearly 98%.

However, people should remember that if the disease is detected and treated early, it can be completely cured.

However, the reality is that most people with the disease do not know they have it because symptoms such as aches, pains, fatigue and other symptoms are often attributed to aging.

According to the 2002 global cancer report, in Vietnam, the incidence of thyroid cancer is 2.7/100,000 for women and 1.3/100,000 for men. The incidence in women is more than twice as high as in men. This is also a cancer with a good prognosis if diagnosed early and treated aggressively.

Dr. Michael Tuttle, an endocrinologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, warns that if you notice any signs or anything unusual in your neck, you should not ignore it.

Here are 4 signs of thyroid cancer you need to pay attention to.

1. Neck lump

Men often notice lumps when shaving, and women may notice changes in their neck when applying makeup. If you find a large lump in the front of your neck, below your Adam's apple, keep an eye on its activity. About 90% of thyroid nodules are benign.

Typically, benign tumors move up and down when swallowing, whereas most malignant tumors do not move when swallowing.

2. Hoarse voice

One of the most recognizable but often misunderstood signs of thyroid cancer is a hoarse voice. This is because the laryngeal nerves, which control the muscles that open and close the vocal cords, are located just behind the thyroid gland.

In rare cases, tumors, particularly cancerous tumors, can spread beyond the thyroid gland, damaging this nerve and affecting the voice box.

Most patients describe having a hoarse voice, says Dr. Tuttle.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped organ located at the lower front of the neck. The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism.

3. Chronic cough

A small percentage of people with thyroid cancer will have a cough without any specific symptoms related to inflammation. The cough caused by thyroid cancer is not contagious and can be confusing because the cough has no fever or phlegm.

4. Difficulty swallowing

An enlarged thyroid tumor can compress the trachea, making it difficult for the patient to breathe.

Swollen lymph nodes in the neck can be a sign of thyroid cancer.

In addition, the esophagus is also located just below the trachea, so thyroid tumors can also directly or indirectly compress the esophagus, causing the patient to feel difficulty swallowing or pain when swallowing.

Certain groups of people are at higher risk of developing this disease.

People over 30: Thyroid cancer is more common in people over 30.

Women are 2-3 times more likely to develop the disease than men.

Exposure to radiation, including radiation therapy or nuclear fallout, increases the risk of thyroid cancer.

People with a family history of thyroid cancer or those with rare syndromes involving tumors of multiple glands are at greater risk for thyroid cancer.

According to Young Knowledge