Among various types of cancers, Thyroid cancer has emerged as one of the fastest-growing cancers among Indian women. The incidence rates have increased in urban areas over the past two decades. Women are three to four times likely to develop thyroid cancer than men, particularly between ages of 30-50. There are several things that one might want to know about Thyroid Cancer – its symptoms, risks and treatment. In this article, we have taken insights from Dr. Ambesh Singh, Head and Neck Surgical Oncologist at Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital on Thyroid Cancer.
Who Can Develop Thyroid Cancer?
Dr. Ambesh Singh told News24, that women in the age group 30-50 years are most likely to develop Thyroid cancer and are in the high-risk groups. Other than this, family history of thyroid cancer also increase risks of this cancer. Women with previous thyroid disorders like loiter, hypothyroidism can also get Thyroid cancer. Not only this, individuals exposed to radiation during childhood are also at risk.
Dr. Singh added that women face higher risk due to hormonal factors, especially Estrogen, which can stimulate thyroid cell growth. “Few studies suggest that pregnancy and multiple childbirths further increase this risk due to hormonal fluctuations,” said Singh.
Why Does Thyroid Cancer Develop?
On the question why does Thyroid Cancer Develop, Dr. Singh stated to News24, that there are several contributing factors from hormonal changes to lifestyle.
We have broken down his answer into simple points, which are as follows:
Hormonal influences: Estrogen promotes thyroid cell growth, which may trigger cancerous transformation.
Environmental factors: Pollution, industrial chemicals, and heavy metals disrupt thyroid function. Radiation exposure from medical imaging (CT scans, X-rays) increases risk, especially when exposure occurs during childhood.
Lifestyle changes: Shift from traditional iodine-rich diets to processed foods creates nutritional imbalances.
Stress: Chronic stress affects hormonal balance and immune function, creating favourable conditions for cancer development.
Symptoms
When asked about the symptoms, Dr. Singh said that early thyroid cancer often has no symptoms, but one can watch for following symptoms as it progresses:
- Painless/sometime painful lump or swelling in the neck which moves on swallowing.
- Voice changes or hoarseness of voice.
- Difficulty in swallowing.
- Persistent cough not related to cold.
- Neck or throat pain.
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
He stated that any women dismiss these symptoms as minor issues, leading to delayed diagnosis which can create problem further. He added that early detection is crucial and women should be aware of symptoms. He has advised regular health check-ups, especially for those in high-risk categories, can lead to early diagnosis and better outcomes.
How Is it Diagnosed?
On the diagnosis of Thyroid Cancer, Dr, Singh said that it involves few tests which are: Physical examination including Blood tests (Thyroid function tests (TSH, T3, T4) Ultrasound, Fine-needle aspiration and additional imaging (CT or MRI scans if cancer is confirmed to determine the extent of disease).
Treatment Options
Dr. Singh said that the treatment of Thyroid Cancer depend on the type and stage of cancer. We have listed the treatment options as stated by him: Surgery, Thyroidectomy, Radioactive iodine therapy, Hormone therapy, Targeted therapy and external radiation.
Prevention
According to Dr. Singh, Thyroid cancer generally has excellent outcomes when detected early. There is 95% five-year survival rate for papillary thyroid carcinoma which is the most common type.
Following are the prevention measures that one can take to minimise the risks of Thyroid cancer:
Usage of Iodized salt.
Limiting unnecessary exposure to medical radiation.
Performing regular neck self-examinations.
Seeking immediate medical assistance for persistent neck symptoms.
Maintaining healthy lifestyle to reduce stress.
