September is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, an opportunity to increase awareness about thyroid cancer, recognize possible warning signs, and understand when changes in your neck or voice should be evaluated.
At Outlier Health & Wellness in Fresh Meadows, Queens, we encourage our patients to pay attention to changes in their bodies. Thyroid cancer often has a good prognosis, particularly for the most common types, but evaluation of suspicious symptoms is important.
What Is Thyroid Cancer?
Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of your neck. It produces hormones that help regulate metabolism and affect many functions throughout the body.
Thyroid cancer occurs when abnormal cells begin growing within the thyroid gland.
The major types include:
- Papillary thyroid cancer – The most common type and generally slow-growing
- Follicular thyroid cancer – Another differentiated thyroid cancer that usually has a favorable prognosis
- Medullary thyroid cancer – A less common form that can sometimes run in families
- Anaplastic thyroid cancer – A rare but aggressive form of thyroid cancer
Know Your Risk
Anyone can develop thyroid cancer, but certain factors may increase risk, including:
- Being female
- A family history of thyroid cancer or certain inherited syndromes
- Previous exposure to high levels of radiation, particularly involving the head or neck
- Certain genetic conditions
- Increasing age for some types of thyroid cancer
Having a risk factor does not mean you will develop thyroid cancer. Likewise, someone without known risk factors can still be diagnosed.
Pay Attention to These Changes
Thyroid cancer may not cause symptoms early on. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
- A new lump or swelling in the neck
- A neck lump that appears to be growing
- Persistent hoarseness or changes in your voice
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
- Persistent discomfort or pressure in the neck
Many thyroid nodules are not cancerous, but a new or changing lump should be evaluated rather than ignored.
What About Thyroid Blood Tests?
One important thing to understand is that normal thyroid hormone levels do not necessarily rule out thyroid cancer.
Tests such as TSH are useful for evaluating how well your thyroid is functioning, but thyroid cancer evaluation may require a physical examination and, when appropriate, imaging such as a thyroid ultrasound. Some patients may need additional testing or a biopsy based on the findings.
That is why it’s important to tell your healthcare provider about a neck lump or other concerning symptoms even if you’ve previously had normal thyroid blood work.
Your Primary Care Provider Is a Good Place to Start
Not every thyroid concern requires a specialist as the first step.
At Outlier Health & Wellness, we can evaluate new symptoms, review your personal and family history, examine your neck and thyroid, and determine whether additional testing is appropriate.
When necessary, we can coordinate care with endocrinology, ENT, surgery, or other specialists for further evaluation and treatment.
Primary care also remains important after a thyroid cancer diagnosis, helping patients manage their overall health alongside their specialty care.
Know Your Neck
This Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, take a moment to become familiar with your neck and pay attention to changes.
A lump doesn’t automatically mean cancer. Hoarseness doesn’t automatically mean cancer. But a new, persistent, or changing symptom deserves an evaluation.
You don’t have to figure out what it is on your own. Start the conversation with your healthcare provider.
Schedule Your Checkup
If you’ve noticed a new neck lump, persistent hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or another unexplained change, schedule an evaluation.
Outlier Health & Wellness
Adult Primary Care • Geriatric Care • Preventive Health • Chronic Disease Management
📞 888-855-2584
🌐 outlierhealthandwellness.com
📍 Fresh Meadows, Queens, NY
💙 Know your neck. Notice changes. Get them checked.
