For the Love of Your Thyroid, Check Your Neck

by B.A. Dobson

Did you know that…?

• Although thyroid cancer is the most rapidly increasing cancer in the nation, thyroid examinations may not be included in your annual physical
• It is estimated that at least half of all Canadians – roughly 17 million people – have thyroid nodules (95% of which are benign)*
• 80% of those living with thyroid cancer are female
• Thyroid cancer is now the number one cancer found among young women

Truth be told, the skyrocketing rates of thyroid cancer; the fact that in most cases the cause of this condition is unknown; and the widespread lack of awareness about the disease are all causes for alarm. What’s more, if you’re one of the many Canadians who are at risk, a group that includes:

• Individuals who have a history of thyroid cancer (pre-occurring, or in other family members)
• Persons aged 45 or older
• Women (the vast majority of new cases are women)
• Anyone who has been treated with external beam radiation (for other cancers)

You should seriously consider get yourself screened. And as September is Thyroid Cancer Awareness, there’s no time like the present.

You see, in an effort to spread the word about this disease and promote more accessible diagnostic screening for all Canadians, Thyroid Cancer Canada (TCC) is hosting their first ever Neck Check awareness event on Saturday, September 10th, from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm at Sherway Gardens Mall (25 The West Mall, Toronto, ON M9C 1B8) in the Sears Court.

All are welcome to attend the Neck Check event to meet representatives of TCC, get information on thyroid cancer and have their necks checked for thyroid nodules. Dr. Irving Rosen of Mount Sinai Hospital and Dr. Raymond Ng of Rouge Valley Health System, will be the specialist surgeons on site to perform the checks and answer and all questions about neck nodules and your thyroid cancer risk, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. and 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Concerned that you may be at risk but not able to make it out to the Neck Check?  Then consult your family physician to discuss your screening options...soon.

*N.B. Even in cases where thyroid nodules are not cancerous they may still compromise the functioning of an individual’s thyroid gland.

Image courtesy of stockXchng.