Recently, the latest cancer report from the mainland was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Center (JNCC), which shows that from 2000 to 2016, thyroid cancer incidence increased 20-fold in 16 years.
Thyroid cancer has skyrocketed among women, with the incidence of thyroid cancer rising from seventh to third in women compared to the 2012 national cancer epidemiological statistics.
Obviously, the awareness of cancer prevention is getting stronger and stronger, why is the incidence rate getting higher and higher? "Life Times" (search for "LT0385" in WeChat can be followed) interview experts tell you why more and more people suffer from thyroid cancer, and how to protect the thyroid gland in life.
Experts interviewed
Lu Bin, chief physician of the Department of Endocrinology, Huashan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University
Zhou Xinrong, deputy chief physician of the Department of Endocrinology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Professor Li Chao, director and director of the Head and Neck Surgery Center of Sichuan Provincial Cancer Hospital
Don't panic, the number of patients is a technological progress
At present, the medical community is known as a high risk factor for thyroid cancer, including a history of head and neck radiation exposure or radiation exposure in childhood, and a family history of thyroid cancer.
In the absence of a significant increase in risk factors, a significant increase in the number of confirmed cases may be related to the widespread use of modern diagnostic techniques such as ultrasonography.
1
The inspection equipment is more advanced
Medical technology has advanced rapidly, and the sophistication of examination equipment has been greatly improved.
Now the accuracy and sensitivity of the color ultrasound is far better than in the past, even small nodules of 2 to 3 mm can be clearly detected, resulting in the discovery of diseases such as thyroid nodules (including thyroid cancer) that were not previously discovered.
2
Thyroid cancer screening is widespread
In the past, the neck was not used as a screening item for routine physical examination, but now that thyroid cancer is super popular, there are relatively more cases screened.
The improvement of diagnostic technology to increase the incidence of thyroid cancer is not necessarily a bad thing, early detection and early diagnosis are conducive to improving the cure rate. Even if thyroid cancer is detected, there is no need to worry too much, more than 90% can be cured.
For high-risk groups, a neck ultrasound can be done once a year.
Diagnosed thyroid cancer, the most important treatment method recognized internationally is surgery. Fortunately, although the incidence is increased, the mortality rate caused by thyroid cancer is very low, and it is a relatively "kind" malignancy.
Thyroid nodules can be detected dynamically, do not need to be treated for the time being, and can generally be reviewed once a year.
4 signals of thyroid cancer
The thyroid gland is located in front of the trachea and is neighboring to the trachea, esophagus, and vocal cords, so changes in breathing, swallowing, and sound may be related to the thyroid gland.
Jonathan Russell, director of the Thyroid Oncology Center at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, reminds that the following 4 symptoms may be signals from the thyroid gland.
1
Lump or swelling of the neck
The most common symptom of thyroid cancer is a lump, nodule, or swelling near the base of the neck, but not all lumps mean cancer.
Studies have shown that 50% of people over the age of 60 have some type of thyroid nodule, and only a small percentage of them are cancerous tumors. Therefore, it is important to check for lumps, but there is no need to panic too much when there are lumps.
2
Difficulty swallowing
Thyroid tumors sometimes compress the esophagus, causing difficulty swallowing. Most of the foods that are usually difficult to swallow are solid foods, such as bread and meat, and generally the liquid is not affected.
3
Persistent hoarseness
Occasional changes in the voice usually do not require worry, but if the voice becomes very hoarse for no reason and persists for a period of time, it should be vigilant that a tumor has affected the vocal cords.
4
Chronic cough or shortness of breath
Rarely, the tumor may be large enough to compress the esophagus, causing shortness of breath or chronic cough.
4 steps to protect the lazy thyroid gland
Thyroid problems are often "involved" by the immune system, so the focus of protecting the thyroid gland is to protect the immune system.
spirit
Sleep fun and good
Depression, anxiety and other negative emotions, excessive mental stress, although it will not directly affect the thyroid gland, but can disrupt the nervous and endocrine systems, resulting in immune dysfunction, destroying the "compatibility" of their own antigens, resulting in the thyroid gland being attacked by the immune system.
In life, it is recommended to pay attention to the combination of work and leisure, ensure adequate sleep, and learn to adjust the mood.
diet
Consume iodized salt in moderation
Once upon a time, the continent was one of the most prevalent countries in the world of iodine deficiency diseases. With the implementation of the salt iodization policy, the incidence of "big neck disease" and small disease has decreased year by year, but some people have questioned that "long-term iodine supplementation may cause iodine excess".
In fact, the total amount of iodine obtained by the vast majority of people in daily food is still insufficient, and the state has reduced the iodine content of edible salt three times and implemented a "local" policy, so we do not have to worry about iodine overdose.
Unless there are special requirements, it is best for normal people to consume iodized salt, and the amount of salt per person per day does not exceed 5 grams.
Self-check
Touch the sides of the throat knot
Self-examination of the microscope at regular intervals can help detect thyroid abnormalities early.
The surgeon teaches you to check your thyroid
Facing the mirror, the head is slightly tilted back, exposing the neck.
Look at whether the sides of the neck are symmetrical and swollen;
Two swallowing saliva, finding the thyroid gland moving up and down with the swallowing action;
Three times to find the thyroid gland if there are soft small bulges, small lumps, or hard small nodules.
If nodules or lumps are found, they should go to the hospital as soon as possible for investigation.
Screening
I started doing it at the age of 35
After the age of 35, especially for women, it is best to have thyroid function tests and thyroid ultrasound every 5 years; pregnant women must have thyroid function tests; before trying to conceive, it is recommended that women screen for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and other related indicators.
In addition, in life, we should try to avoid environmental "toxins" such as heavy metals, ionizing radiation, and pesticides; be vigilant against cosmetics and health care products containing estrogens; actively exercise to improve the body's immunity. ▲
Editor: Jie Zhang
Wait, click in the lower right corner to see