Natasha Das

Globally, thyroid cancer is the seventh most common cancer — more common than even cervical cancer largely due to the increased global use of vaccines to prevent cervical cancer. It is the fastest-rising cancer, especially among women. Nearly 73% of all thyroid cancer cases diagnosed in 2022 were in Asia. In India, however, the detection of thyroid cancer is not as common. Only about 1.5% of all new cancer cases detected in 2022 in India were diagnosed as thyroid cancer. It is largely over-diagnosed in high-income countries. This means most thyroid nodules (lumps or bumps in the thyroid gland) detected are unlikely to progress to symptoms or death even if left untreated.

Doctors often refer to thyroid cancer as a ‘good cancer’ as it is often a small area that is affected, and the response to treatment is excellent.

Most thyroid nodules are non-cancerous, but about 1 in 10 nodules may be cancerous. Nodules that produce too much thyroid hormone and cause hyperthyroidism are almost always non-cancerous. Fewer than 1 in 10 adults have thyroid nodules big enough for the doctor to be able to feel those during…read more on NOPR