Fact 10: Importance of Regular Check-ups – Early Detection Matters
Thyroid cancer is often detected early, which significantly improves the chances of successful treatment. Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider can help catch this disease in its earliest stages. If you have a history of radiation exposure or a family history of thyroid disease, you might need to be screened regularly for thyroid cancer.
Screening for thyroid cancer might involve a physical exam of your neck or a thyroid ultrasound, which can detect smaller thyroid nodules that your doctor might not feel during a physical exam. However, screening is controversial because it might lead to over-diagnosis and over-treatment of thyroid nodules that would never cause symptoms or threaten a person’s life.
Whether to undergo thyroid screening is a decision that should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider, taking into account your individual risk factors and overall health.
Thyroid cancer can often be cured when found early. So, if you notice any changes in your neck or experience symptoms such as a lump in the neck, persistent cough, difficulty swallowing, or voice changes, don’t hesitate to consult your healthcare provider. Early detection is the best defense against thyroid cancer. (10)
