3min reads

What you need to know about thyroid cancer screening – cancergo3

3min reads

What you need to know about thyroid cancer screening – cancergo3

admin
admin

What is Thyroid Cancer?

The thyroid is a gland in the front of the neck responsible for hormone production. When cells of the thyroid become abnormal, cancer develops. There are no screening tests to evaluate thyroid cancer cells’ presence. A diagnosis is typically made when someone is being evaluated for the cause of symptoms they may be experiencing.

Risk factors for thyroid cancer

  • Family history of thyroid cancer
  • History of radiation exposure
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Diet too high or low in iodine
  • Inherited syndromes such as multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN), familial adenomatous polyposis, and Cowden disease
  • White or Asian race
  • Ages 20 to 55 years old
  • Female sex

Numercial list

  1. Family history of thyroid cancer
  2. History of radiation exposure
  3. Being overweight or obese
  4. Diet too high or low in iodine

One of these tests is an ultrasound, where sound waves are used to get a picture of the thyroid gland. It will be looking for nodules that look suspicious for cancer.

Tests for thyroid cancer

If thyroid cancer is suspected, there can be a variety of tests that can be done.
 
One of these tests is an ultrasound, where sound waves are used to get a picture of the thyroid gland. It will be looking for nodules that look suspicious for cancer. Ultrasound can also look at lymph nodes near the thyroid to see if they also look suspicious for cancer. Ultrasound is often used to assist during a biopsy, where a needle is inserted into a nodule to test for cancer cells.
 
An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can also be done to get a detailed look at the thyroid. It is often done if ultrasound images are inconclusive.
A radioiodine thyroid scan is a test that can be done after thyroid cancer has been diagnosed. During this test, a pill containing radioactive iodine is swallowed. The iodine is taken up by the thyroid and other thyroid cancer cells in the body. Images are then taken to see if there are thyroid cancer cells outside the thyroid.
 
In conclusion, thyroid cancer screening is essential to detect the disease early. The American Thyroid Association recommends that people at high risk for thyroid cancer should get screened annually.
Image with description

What is Thyroid Cancer?

The thyroid is a gland in the front of the neck responsible for hormone production. When cells of the thyroid become abnormal, cancer develops. There are no screening tests to evaluate thyroid cancer cells’ presence. A diagnosis is typically made when someone is being evaluated for the cause of symptoms they may be experiencing.
admin
admin

Download our
mobile app

Share this post
You may also like
Articles
An overview of testicular cancer
December 22, 2022 4min reads

Testicular cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the testicles, part of the male reproductive system. Cancer cells can develop from different cells of the testicles and most often develop in germ cells. Germ cells are the cells that will eventually become sperm. Germ cell testicular cancer can…

Julie Scott, DNP

author

Articles
Melanoma
November 8, 2022

What is Melanoma? Melanoma is a cancer of the melanocytes, the pigment producing cells in the skin. Melanocytes can also be found in other areas outside of the skin, such as the eyes, genitals, and mouth, but melanoma most commonly develops in the skin.  Risk Factors The rates of melanoma…

Julie Scott, DNP

author

Articles
Why a second opinion after a cancer diagnosis matters
November 6, 2022

Cancer care is an ever-evolving field where new treatments are continuously developed. So, it is always worth getting a second opinion when a person is diagnosed with cancer. Furthermore, research evidence indicates that most early-stage cancer patients are satisfied with the opinion of their first oncologist. So, what is a…

Vino Cherian

administrator

cancerGO gives you access to a community

Where are people to listen, answer questions, share information, and offer valuable and timely advice