Dr. Oz says thyroid cancer is becoming the "fastest growing cancer in women"

emma54
emma54 Member Posts: 59
edited March 2014 in Thyroid Cancer #1
Did anyone watch Dr. Oz last week? Dr. Oz stated that thyroid cancer is becoming "the fastest growing cancer in women." This means that thyroid cancer is becoming an extremely common occurrence in women. The discovery of thyroid cancer is becoming much more prevalent everyday. Their theory is that the radiation acquired from dental Xrays and Mammograms may be the culprit. They are still not sure, however, the aprons which dentists place on your chest and lap while giving you xrays are now being designed to cover your neck and throat. So make sure your friends and family are being covered with these new aprons, since it's probably too late for most of us who have already had our thyroids removed. Dr. Oz also stressed the examination of one's neck on a regular basis in order to make sure there are no unusual bumps or lumps. So, again, tell your loved ones to "check your neck." I think we need to make more people aware of thyroid cancer, because as Dr. Oz said and as many of us already know, "Early detection can save lives."

Comments

  • sunnyaz
    sunnyaz Member Posts: 582
    #2
    Fastest Growing Cancer
    Hi emma54! I am new to this site and found your post very interesting. I didn't see the show but I heard about it and it's been a topic of discussion for me for more than a year. I was diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer about a year ago. I was told that it was caused by Radiation but I was never exposed to radiation except from a few mammograms and dental x-rays. I found a lump in my neck and had to convince my doctor to send me for a biopsy. Because all of my blood work was normal he wasn't convinced it was serious even with all of the symptoms I had. It is so important for us to be our own advocates. If I had not been educated in the Medical profession and knew what the symptoms of Thyroid cancer were, I may not have been diagnosed early enough to save myself.
  • lynn2318
    lynn2318 Member Posts: 41
    #3
    sunnyaz said:

    Fastest Growing Cancer
    Hi emma54! I am new to this site and found your post very interesting. I didn't see the show but I heard about it and it's been a topic of discussion for me for more than a year. I was diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer about a year ago. I was told that it was caused by Radiation but I was never exposed to radiation except from a few mammograms and dental x-rays. I found a lump in my neck and had to convince my doctor to send me for a biopsy. Because all of my blood work was normal he wasn't convinced it was serious even with all of the symptoms I had. It is so important for us to be our own advocates. If I had not been educated in the Medical profession and knew what the symptoms of Thyroid cancer were, I may not have been diagnosed early enough to save myself.

    Ultrasounds
    I think thyroid ultrasounds should be routine when you have a physical. My Papillary cancer was found by accident. I have had normal thyroid blood test for years. I was having a ultrasound of my carotid artery and they scanned across my neck and found a nodule. I am a stage IV, it was in my lymph nodes. I think doctors need to ask more questions and check necks every year. To be honest I don't think my neck had ever been checked. Once again it is up to the patient to ask questions and be pro-active. Thanks for the post, I wish I had seen Dr. Oz.
  • HHMinton
    HHMinton Member Posts: 6
    #4
    lynn2318 said:

    Ultrasounds
    I think thyroid ultrasounds should be routine when you have a physical. My Papillary cancer was found by accident. I have had normal thyroid blood test for years. I was having a ultrasound of my carotid artery and they scanned across my neck and found a nodule. I am a stage IV, it was in my lymph nodes. I think doctors need to ask more questions and check necks every year. To be honest I don't think my neck had ever been checked. Once again it is up to the patient to ask questions and be pro-active. Thanks for the post, I wish I had seen Dr. Oz.

    I had my tumor for 3 years,
    I had my tumor for 3 years, while they thought it was fine. They didnt think anything of it and only did one biopsy when i went to see the Dr. for the first time. None after that. Then when it started growing this year they decided to take it out. Only then did they do a full biopsy and find the cancer. After another surgery, I am now waiting to do the the radioactive iodine treatment. Just waiting for them to sched. it. I feel like they should have done more to test it so I could have found out about the cancer. Maybe then it could have been taken out when it was much smaller and I wouldnt have to do the iodine. My primary Dr. always took blood as well to test it and everything always came back normal. I feel like not enough people really know about this, or make it an issue to check. If i hadnt had my tumor and then have it grow I might have found it much later on.
  • sunnyaz
    sunnyaz Member Posts: 582
    #5
    HHMinton said:

    I had my tumor for 3 years,
    I had my tumor for 3 years, while they thought it was fine. They didnt think anything of it and only did one biopsy when i went to see the Dr. for the first time. None after that. Then when it started growing this year they decided to take it out. Only then did they do a full biopsy and find the cancer. After another surgery, I am now waiting to do the the radioactive iodine treatment. Just waiting for them to sched. it. I feel like they should have done more to test it so I could have found out about the cancer. Maybe then it could have been taken out when it was much smaller and I wouldnt have to do the iodine. My primary Dr. always took blood as well to test it and everything always came back normal. I feel like not enough people really know about this, or make it an issue to check. If i hadnt had my tumor and then have it grow I might have found it much later on.

    Hi HHMinton
    You probably would and should have the RAI. The risks don't out weigh the benefits. My cancer was stage 1 and my Endocrinologist opted me out of the RAI. He said that the risks out weighed the benefits. The cancer came back to attack my Lymph nodes. If I had a do it all over, I would have insisted on the RAI after my first surgery. The second was much more invasive and a far more difficult recovery. If I had insisted on the RAI after my Thyroidectomy, I would not have a huge scar from the base of my ear to the opposite side of my neck. I have severe nerve damage as well. All of my blood work was normal until the day I had my Thyroid removed. There was never any indication that I had cancer until the biopsy. You are right, not enough people know about this. I work in the Medical field and I make it my business to make sure my patients know about this. I had to be my own advocate and pressure my doctor to take appropriate action. Long story, but the sum of it is this; I discovered my cancer by knowing the symptoms and then was able to palpate my lump. Only then did my PCP do something about it and very hesitantly.
  • Stephanie6
    Stephanie6 Member Posts: 10
    #6
    HHMinton said:

    I had my tumor for 3 years,
    I had my tumor for 3 years, while they thought it was fine. They didnt think anything of it and only did one biopsy when i went to see the Dr. for the first time. None after that. Then when it started growing this year they decided to take it out. Only then did they do a full biopsy and find the cancer. After another surgery, I am now waiting to do the the radioactive iodine treatment. Just waiting for them to sched. it. I feel like they should have done more to test it so I could have found out about the cancer. Maybe then it could have been taken out when it was much smaller and I wouldnt have to do the iodine. My primary Dr. always took blood as well to test it and everything always came back normal. I feel like not enough people really know about this, or make it an issue to check. If i hadnt had my tumor and then have it grow I might have found it much later on.

    Thyroid Cancer
    I found my lump September 11. My Doctor saw me the 15. I had an ultrasound, then referred to a surgeon. My Doctor told me my levels were normal. The fact that I had more than one lump was good news. I can tell you she was wrong and should have never said that. My surgeon looked at the ultrasound and said he was concerned. He did a biopsy and then he told me he would call me Thursday or Friday with the results. He didn't so I went to the hospital at records and pulled all my records. I found out it was cancer in the parking lot of the hospital. You have to learn to accept whats ahead and start studying. I read all weekend. My doctor called me in on Tuesday. I was then told yes it was...which I already knew. I had my plan already set. He was impressed. My surgery will be next week. That's 34 days after finding my lump...CANCER, and now look at me:)) I want this OUT!! I am praying that it goes well.
  • emma54
    emma54 Member Posts: 59
    #7
    sunnyaz said:

    Fastest Growing Cancer
    Hi emma54! I am new to this site and found your post very interesting. I didn't see the show but I heard about it and it's been a topic of discussion for me for more than a year. I was diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer about a year ago. I was told that it was caused by Radiation but I was never exposed to radiation except from a few mammograms and dental x-rays. I found a lump in my neck and had to convince my doctor to send me for a biopsy. Because all of my blood work was normal he wasn't convinced it was serious even with all of the symptoms I had. It is so important for us to be our own advocates. If I had not been educated in the Medical profession and knew what the symptoms of Thyroid cancer were, I may not have been diagnosed early enough to save myself.

    Early Detection
    I'm so glad you found it. We have to be our own patient advocates! Don't we?
  • emma54
    emma54 Member Posts: 59
    #8
    lynn2318 said:

    Ultrasounds
    I think thyroid ultrasounds should be routine when you have a physical. My Papillary cancer was found by accident. I have had normal thyroid blood test for years. I was having a ultrasound of my carotid artery and they scanned across my neck and found a nodule. I am a stage IV, it was in my lymph nodes. I think doctors need to ask more questions and check necks every year. To be honest I don't think my neck had ever been checked. Once again it is up to the patient to ask questions and be pro-active. Thanks for the post, I wish I had seen Dr. Oz.

    ultrasounds
    I absolutely agree! I was having an ultrasound of my carotid artery through lifeline screening just for the heck of it to make sure I was not a candidate for stroke or heart attack. That is how I found it. It should absolutely be a routine procedure for everyone! Hope you are doing well.
  • Helen Caruso
    Helen Caruso Member Posts: 11
    #9
    ohhh that is scaryy....i
    ohhh that is scaryy....i already have an under active thyroid due to radiation for treating hodgkins disease and i was told that i am at high risk for thyroid cancer which is given me alot anxeity lol....any how i am doing everything in my powerr to be on top of this so if i do get it i hope it can be taken care of..but i really hope i dont get it at all!!!!

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