Today is my birthday! I was born on July 8th many, many years ago. Then on July 8, 2009 I had surgery that was the first step in eliminating my status as a thyroid cancer patient and upgrading me to thyroid cancer survivor. So actually I am five years old. Five years cancer free.
Having your thyroid checked is the easiest thing in the world. You sip water. The doctor palpates your thyroid. Usually that is the end. If the doctor feels something, you go for sonograms and biopsies and confirm the diagnosis. DO NOT RELY ON THE ROUTINE BLOOD TEST that indicates your thyroid hormone numbers. I had a blood test taken on the same day that the doctor found my tumor–and that test was as perfect as all my previous tests.
Now I could lecture you on how important this is and how we as a society are becoming more prone to thyroid cancer. But there are experts in the Thyroid Cancer Survivor’s Association. I’ll let them tell you:
A new record total of 62,980 people will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2014 in the United States, reports the nonprofit ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. (“ThyCa”) based on information from the American Cancer Society and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Thyroid cancer continues to increase rapidly in both women and men. Three of every four people diagnosed with thyroid cancer are women, and the 2014 total of 62,980 people newly diagnosed (up 4.6% from 2013) will include 47,790 women and 15,190 men. A total of 1,890 deaths from thyroid cancer are expected in 2014 in the United States, compared with 1,850 in 2013.
“Early detection is a key. A neck check by a medical professional can be done quickly, but those few seconds could make all the difference when it comes to thyroid cancer, because thyroid cancer is usually treatable when found early,” says ThyCa Executive Gary Bloom, a thyroid cancer survivor. “However, some thyroid cancers are aggressive and difficult to treat.”
“Many thyroid cancer survivors first become aware that they may have cancer when they notice a nodule on their lower neck,” adds Bloom. “Others notice changes in their voice or breathing or swallowing. Most thyroid nodules are benign, but some are cancer.”
ThyCa urges everyone to learn about thyroid cancer and ask for a neck check at doctor’s appointments. People in all age groups from children through seniors can be diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
Okay I’m off to celebrate and to blow out the five candles on my yummy cake. You go have your thyroid checked.
Terrie
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