6. Existing Thyroid Conditions: Unwanted Consequences
Existing Thyroid Conditions as a Stepping Stone to Thyroid Cancer. An individual with a pre-existing thyroid condition is at an elevated risk of developing thyroid cancer. Conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, a type of autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, can over time increase the likelihood of thyroid cancer.
The inflammation caused by Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can lead to considerable damage to the thyroid cells. As these cells attempt to repair themselves, they can make errors that result in the creation of cancerous cells. As a result, people with this condition are advised to undergo regular check-ups to ensure any abnormal changes are detected and treated promptly.
Another existing thyroid condition that could potentially lead to cancer is thyroid adenoma. These benign tumors, while typically harmless, can sometimes undergo changes that make them cancerous. Although this happens rarely, regular monitoring of individuals with thyroid adenoma is often advised. (6)
