Early detection of thyroid cancer

When thyroid cancer is detected and treated early, the chances of successful treatment are better. Recognizing symptoms and getting regular checkups are the best ways to detect thyroid cancer early. The sooner symptoms are reported, the sooner a doctor can diagnose and treat the cancer.

High-risk individuals

People who are at higher than average risk of developing thyroid cancer may need to be tested more often or earlier than people with average risk. Examples of what puts a person at higher than average risk include:

• having had radiation therapy to the head and neck area during childhood
• a history of benign thyroid disease, including benign thyroid nodules or goitre
• a family history of thyroid cancer
• certain genetic conditions:
  • familial medullary thyroid cancer
  • multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndrome
  • familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
  • Gardner syndrome
  • Cowden syndrome
  • Carney complex
  • Werner syndrome

People who are at higher than average risk should talk to their doctor about a personal plan for testing. A person plan for testing may include:

• physical examination
• neck ultrasound
• genetic risk assessment, counselling and testing, if available for those with a family history of medullary thyroid cancer