Thyroid Cancer

About this Cancer

Statistics

Thyroid cancer is a lot more common in women, accounting for over double the number of male diagnoses, and ranking 7th most common cancer for women.

According to the CCS, it is estimated that in 2024, 6,600 Canadians will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer, of which 2,000 are men and 4,700 are women. The cancer ranks at 12 overall, on a downtrend compared to previous years.

A small number of patients die from the cancer, estimating that 280 will pass, of which 130 are men and 150 are women. 

Source: Canadian Cancer Society (2024)

Symptoms

Symptoms of thyroid cancer include:

  • A lump/swelling found in the neck
  • Hoarse voice
  • Sore throat or cough that doesn’t go away
  • Difficulty swallowing or breathing
  • Pain in the front of the neck

For more information, check out the Canadian Cancer Society

Risk Factors

Different subtypes of thyroid cancer stem from different risk factors. Those include:

  • Exposure to ionizing radiation
  • Non-cancerous conditions of the thyroid
  • Familial history of thyroid cancer
  • Hereditary conditions
  • Obesity
  • Tall height
  • Acromegaly

From: Canadian Cancer Society

Diagnosis

Diagnosis options for thyroid cancer include:

  • Physical exam and medical history
  • Blood tests
  • Ultrasound
  • Radioactive iodine tests
  • Biopsy
  • CT scan, MRI, Chest x-ray, PET scan
  • Cell and tissue studies

For more information, check out the Canadian Cancer Society

Treatment

Treatment options vary depending on the stage of the cancer, where it’s located (localized, or metastatic), its subtype (papillary, follicular, anaplastic, medullary), etc. Options include: 

  • Surgery
  • Thyroid hormone therapy
  • Targeted drug therapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Chemotherapy

For more information, check out Canadian Cancer Society.

Stories from Survivors

Stories from Other Groups

If you have any thyroid cancer stories, please send them to us at info@survivornet.ca.

Resources

Thyroid Cancer Groups

Canada

The Thyroid Foundation of Canada: The Thyroid Foundation of Canada is a non-profit registered volunteer organization whose mission is to support thyroid patients across Canada through awareness, education, and research. Funds to support the programs of the foundation come mainly through membership and donations. Visit them here.