Individuals who have been exposed to radiation, have a family history of genetic syndromes or obesity, or are experiencing symptoms of iodine deficiency should consider screening for thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in the thyroid gland, which is more common in women than men. According to the Global Cancer Organization, thyroid cancer is one of the 10 most common types of cancer in Vietnam, with about 6,120 new cases and over 850 deaths reported in 2022.
Dr. Tran Huu Thanh Tung from the Department of Endocrinology – Diabetes at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City explains that thyroid cancer often develops silently with few early symptoms. However, if detected early, it has a good prognosis and high cure rate with reduced complications. Regular screening for thyroid cancer, especially for high-risk individuals, can help in early detection and treatment.
Several factors increase the risk of developing thyroid cancer include exposure to radiation from various sources such as nuclear accidents or X-ray machines used in healthcare settings. Additionally, individuals with a family history of thyroid cancer or genetic syndromes are at higher risk. Other conditions like goiter, thyroiditis, iodine deficiency and obesity can also increase the likelihood of developing this type of cancer. High-risk individuals should undergo regular screenings including ultrasound to detect any abnormalities in the thyroid gland. If a tumor is detected through these screenings, a biopsy can confirm whether it is benign or malignant.
Late-stage symptoms of thyroid cancer include difficulty breathing and swallowing, voice changes as well as neck swelling. When the cancer metastasizes to other parts of the body symptoms may include fatigue, loss of appetite weight loss nausea and vomiting.
It’s important for individuals with high-risk factors or suspicious symptoms to seek medical attention and undergo screening early to detect and treat thyroid cancer promptly
