Risk factor 3. Radiation Exposure – The Invisible Enemy of Thyroid Cells
Third on our list is a factor that has been heavily studied and established – radiation exposure. Whether it’s from radiation therapy for a previous health condition or environmental exposure, such as nuclear fallout, radiation can increase the risk of developing thyroid cancer.
The thyroid gland is incredibly sensitive to radiation, particularly in children. High-dose radiation exposure to the neck, often given as a treatment for other cancers like Hodgkin’s lymphoma, has been associated with an increased risk of thyroid cancer down the line.
Radiation causes damage to the DNA of cells, which can lead to mutations. If these mutations occur in genes that control cell growth and division, they can result in uncontrolled cell growth – a hallmark of cancer.
The correlation between radiation exposure and thyroid cancer was tragically highlighted in the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. There was a significant surge in thyroid cancer cases, especially among those who were children at the time of the accident. (3)
