This blog sort of expands on the topic of my last blog," aftercare after thyroid cancer, aka, what now?" Up until very recently, thyroid cancer was the most rapidly increasing cancer in the United States. This was possibly due to increased detection, namely MRI and CT scans. When testing for other conditions, sometimes a small thyroid cancer nodule would be detected at the same time, for instance. When I read this statistic from the American Cancer Society, of course, me being me, I had to find out what the fastest growing cancer in the United States is now. Well, it is primary liver cancer- in both men and women. ( with thyroid cancer, women are three times more likely to have thyroid cancer as compared to men.)
Here are a few statistics from the American Cancer Society concerning thyroid cancer:
* in 2021, there have been around 44,280 new cases of thyroid cancer ( 12,150 in men, and 32,130 in women)
* there have been around 2,200 deaths from thyroid cancer.( in 2021)
*the death rate from thyroid cancer has increased slightly, from 2009 to 2018; up about 0.6% per year.
* thyroid cancer is commonly diagnosed at a younger age than most other adult cancers.
From reader comments in other thyroid cancer websites, I have seen some confusion about recurrence of thyroid cancer, and the development of a second cancer. By definition, recurrence is thyroid cancer that returns after the completion of treatment. In contrast, a new unrelated cancer that is detected after one has thyroid cancer is called a second cancer.
People who have had thyroid cancer may have an increased risk of developing these second cancers:
* breast cancer ( in women)
*prostate cancer
*kidney cancer
*adrenal cancer ( side note: for patients who have had medullary thyroid cancer, you might be at an even higher risk of developing this cancer)
Patients treated with RAI ( I-131) for thyroid cancer, usually after surgery, also have an increased risk of developing these secondary cancers:
* acute lymphocytic leukemia ( ALL)
*stomach cancer
*salivary gland cancer
Follow up appointments are key!! Since most thyroid cancers are slow growing, there is a risk of recurrence even 10 to 20 years after initial treatment. Let that statistic sink in!
In my case, I had papillary with follicular variant, stage 3, thyroid cancer. For three and a half years, my thyroglobulin level stayed elevated. I had a high dose of the RAI ( 155 milicuries of I-131) along with complete removal of my thyroid gland and eleven lymph nodes. While no cancer was detected in my lymph nodes, two of my parathyroid glands were cancerous and had to be removed. Also, the tumors had burst open and spilled out into the lymphatic system in my neck bed. My endocrinologist has been amazing over the years. I have had bi-annual ultrasounds, blood work and office visits. While this has been stressful ( test anxiety) I appreciate the good care that I have received. My wonderful endocrinologist has recently retired, and I am presently searching for a new physician who will monitor me, at least annually, and take my concerns seriously.
Five years after my thyroid cancer, I developed a second cancer. Breast cancer- namely, invasive lobular, stage 2B. I had bilateral mastectomies and 3 months of chemotherapy, and am in remission from this cancer as well. I have always had my yearly mammograms; so very thankful that the breast cancer was detected fairly early on. I am writing about this not to scare anyone, just to urge women to PLEASE get yearly mammograms and other tests that might be appropriate. Early detection is key to best outcomes.
So here is a list of the things that I consider most important for good care/management of any cancer:
* Keep records of all tests, office visits, procedures, etc. I have found this to be so beneficial over the years- both to myself and other physicians that I have seen. I have a special notebook for these records.
* Be informed! Do your research on the type of cancer that you have been diagnosed with. Read reviews of physicians and surgeons before you make any decisions on what care would be best for you. Ask as many questions as you can. Take the list of questions with you when visiting the doctor. There are some excellent books out there providing good information on thyroid cancer, as well as good websites- ThyCa, and the American Cancer Society- just to name two.
* Be your own best patient advocate! This is hard to do sometimes, but if something does not feel right, it probably is not.
* If one does not have a good support system, there are some excellent support groups online ( maybe not so much in person now with the pandemic- but hopefully this will change soon.)
* Keep up with your regularly scheduled tests and procedures. No need to panic, but this is just providing good care for oneself. If a problem is detected early, as I said, it is much easier treated and probably will have a better outcome.
* Embrace your feelings. I try to keep a positive attitude, but if I am having a " down day" I tell myself that is OK, too. Of course, if these down days seem to be every day, then talk to a physician or therapist for some good mental health care. Having had cancer is a big deal! Hearing the words " You have cancer" is a life changing event. I think people deal with a cancer diagnosis in different ways. There is no right way, I believe.
* While I did not feel that I returned to " normal", whatever that is, I have regained my life by taking better care of myself- both physically and mentally. I am trying to have a healthier lifestyle- by exercising, working on new hobbies, eating better ( most of the time, ha!), and just enjoying life in general. For me, being outside is very conducive to feeling better. Nature is the great healer, I truly believe.
* I am a " worrier" and I am working on controlling my anxiety. I had this issue before I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and as you can imagine, it is worse now. This is a work in progress for me. I am far from perfect, but I am trying.
In conclusion, happy Thyroid Cancer awareness month to all of my butterfly-less friends and thyroid cancer warriors out there! I would like to especially give a shout out to those women, like me, who get to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness next month. The good news is that I am alive. I have survived two cancers, and am living the best life that I can. I sincerely wish the same for all those reading this blog...
