Not only Vivian Hsu, but also CCTV host Zhu Xun, table tennis star Wang Nan, Hong Kong entertainer Lisa Loo, and many other female public figures have suffered from thyroid cancer. Studies have shown that the incidence of thyroid cancer in women is 3-4 times that of men.
So, why does thyroid cancer “favor” women?
Cheng Jiajia, associate chief physician of Minimally Invasive Surgery at Hainan Cancer Hospital, explained that the thyroid is a vital endocrine gland in the human body. It can synthesize and secrete thyroid hormones, participating in human metabolism and closely related to human hormone levels.
The current general consensus is that the higher incidence in women may be related to womens physiological characteristics. Due to special periods such as menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, hormonal fluctuations in women can easily lead to endocrine disorders, thereby increasing the risk of thyroid cancer.
In addition, high mental stress and emotional instability are also important factors contributing to the high incidence of thyroid cancer in women.
Cheng introduced that thyroid cancer is usually asymptomatic in its early stages, unless it is located superficially in the neck, where a lump may be visible. When the tumor is small and located deep within the thyroid, it is generally difficult to detect.
The Cancer Prevention and Screening Guidelines (Popular Science Version) compiled by the National Cancer Center clearly points out four “typical symptoms” of thyroid cancer, and caution should be exercised if any of these symptoms appear!
Neck Lump
The early clinical manifestations of thyroid cancer are not obvious, and it is usually accidental to find a hard and uneven lump in the thyroid gland of the neck. The lump will gradually increase in size and move up and down with swallowing.
Local Pain
In the late stage of thyroid cancer, the lump is often immobile and accompanied by local pain, often compressing the trachea and esophagus.
Hoarseness
When the local invasion of the tumor is severe, it may cause hoarseness, dysphagia, or Horner syndrome due to compression of the sympathetic nerve; invasion of the cervical plexus may cause pain in the ear, occipital region, shoulder, and other symptoms, and invasion of cervical lymph nodes may be accompanied by enlarged cervical lymph nodes.
Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism
When thyroid dysfunction is present, corresponding clinical manifestations may appear. For example, when hyperthyroidism is present, it may be accompanied by facial flushing, tachycardia. Patients with special types of thyroid cancer, such as medullary thyroid cancer, may exhibit facial flushing and intractable diarrhea.
The key to disease prevention and control lies in prevention.
Here are six key points for preventing thyroid cancer:
1.Avoid excessive radiation: especially for children and adolescents.
2.Maintain a balanced diet: ensure an even intake of fruits, vegetables, meats, and staple foods.
3.Exercise at least three times a week: exercise can regulate hormone secretion in the body and prevent hormone-related cancers.
4.Manage stress and emotions: studies have found that negative emotions such as sensitivity, suspicion, anger, anxiety, stress, and pressure are closely related to the occurrence of cancer. These emotions can easily lead to endocrine dysfunction and decreased immune function, resulting in physiological imbalances that may induce cancer.
5.Avoid alcoholism: the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified alcohol and its primary metabolites as Group 1 carcinogens, with the highest level of evidence for causing cancer in both human and animal experiments.
6.Undergo regular screenings: tumor screenings are crucial for early detection of cancer and precancerous lesions.
For thyroid screenings, both functional and morphological examinations should be conducted.
General Population: Currently, there is no standard test for early detection or routine screening of thyroid cancer. Clinical neck examinations should be performed every 2-3 years for individuals aged 20-29 and annually for those older than 30. Neck ultrasonography (including the thyroid, neck, and supraclavicular regions) should be conducted annually after age 30.
High-Risk Population for Thyroid Cancer: Neck ultrasonography (including the thyroid, neck, and supraclavicular regions) should be performed annually.
For women, it is recommended to undergo neck ultrasonography once before pregnancy and once at the end of lactation.
The article is solely for the purpose of health science popularization.
It does not constitute a basis for clinical diagnosis or medical treatment.
If any text or images involve infringement or violation of regulations,
please inform us promptly for removal.
Edited by Huang Fei