September is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month.
Thyroid cancer is not common. Around 3,500 people in the UK are diagnosed with thyroid cancer each year. Thyroid cancer can happen at any age and it is more common in women.
The most common types of thyroid cancer are papillary and follicular thyroid cancer.
The most common symptom of thyroid cancer is a painless lump in the neck. Most thyroid lumps are not cancerous, but it is important to get any lump checked.
Other symptoms include:
- a hoarse voice that has no obvious cause and does not go away after a few weeks
- difficulty swallowing – caused by a thyroid tumour pressing on the gullet (oesophagus)
- difficulty breathing – caused by a thyroid tumour pressing on the windpipe (trachea)
- pain in the front of the neck.
Book an appointment with the GP if you have any concerns.
Read more here: Thyroid cancer – symptoms, types, treatment options | Macmillan Cancer Support