Early detection, diagnosis and treatment is important for a positive outcome.
If you have any change of voice, an unexplained cough, breathlessness, difficulty swallowing, pain in your thyroid gland or your thyroid gland is enlarged, please ask your doctor to order a Thyroid Ultrasound to determine or eliminate if the thyroid gland is the cause.
The physical health of your thyroid gland is separate to the function of the thyroid gland. A Thyroid Ultrasound is the test ordered to report the physical health of the thyroid gland.
Lumps, known as nodules in the thyroid more than 1.0 cm should be biopsied, if there is a concern. Fine Needle Biopsy (FNB) can determine whether lumps (nodules) are benign or malignant. It is recommended that a FNB is performed by an expert to ensure the result is accurate.
If thyroid cancer is detected early, the outcome and recovery is usually very positive. There are many reasons why thyroid cancer can develop and all Australians need to be aware, particularly if you have a thyroid disorder, family history of thyroid cancer or symptoms that need to be investigated.
Early detection is essential to ensure nothing is overlooked. If thyroid cancer is determined or suspected, a patient is initially referred to either an endocrinologist or endocrine surgeon who specialises in thyroid cancer for treatment and ongoing monitoring.
Treatment for thyroid cancer is surgical removal of the thyroid gland, (total thyroidectomy). Radioactive Iodine therapy may be prescribed following surgery. Lifelong thyroxine replacement therapy (Levothyroxine) is prescribed following surgery to ensure a patient’s thyroid function remains adequate . Please read Treatments https://www.thyroidfoundation.org.au/thyroid-treatments and Medications https://www.thyroidfoundation.org.au/thyroid-medications for more information.
Thyroid Cancer can progress slowly, without obvious symptoms being recognised. Diagnosis can often be determined through an unrelated condition or physical change to the neck.
If you have any of these symptoms, please consult your doctor. Initially, your doctor will usually order a Thyroid Ultrasound which shows the size, shape and texture of the gland and determined if a thyroid nodule/s is a concern.
If there is a concern, you will be referred to an endocrinologist or endocrine surgeon who specialises in thyroid cancer for treatment and ongoing monitoring.
Joining the ATF as a member, provides you with one-on-one support, information and guidance to help you through your journey.
If you have any questions or would like information, please email: info@thyroidfoundation.org.au
ATF Medical Advisors contributed to the
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