USA Today, Jan 15, 2012
INDIANAPOLIS – Thyroid cancer, which affects about 11 people per 100,000
each year, seems to be on the rise. It's a trend that baffles medical
researchers.
National Cancer Institute statistics suggest that in recent years the number
of cases of this often curable cancer has increased by about 6.5%. Over a
decade, that has added up to make thyroid cancer the fastest-increasing
cancer, says Tod Huntley, an otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon with
the Center for Ear, Nose, Throat and Allergy in Indianapolis.
"Ten years ago, if I saw four new thyroid cancer patients a year, it would
have been a lot," says G. Irene Minor, a radiation oncologist with Indiana
University Health Central Indiana Cancer Center. "Now sometimes I see that
many in a month, and I have seen three in a week."
Thyroid cancer is more common in women younger than 45, Minor said. Doctors
don't know why that's the case, but thyroid problems in general — such as
hyper- or hypo-thyroidism — are more common in women.
The thyroid helps regulate heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and
weight. Thyroid cancer is three times more common in women than men.
Why is it more prevalent?
Experts remain divided on the cause of the increase.
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