What are the risk factors for thyroid cancer?
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Dr. Patrick Maguire answered:Radiation exposure is the most well-known risk factor for the development of thyroid cancer. However, the majority of patients who are diagnosed have no clear known risk factor. Females are about three times as likely to develop thyroid cancer as males.Radiation exposure is the most well-known risk factor for the development of thyroid cancer. However, the majority of patients who are diagnosed have no clear known risk factor. Females are about three times as likely to develop thyroid cancer as... More -
When a patient is diagnosed with a thyroid nodule, it is most important to rule out thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer is not common, but may occur in 5 – 10 % of patients with thyroid nodules. There are several factors that may increase the risk for having cancer. These risk factors include:
- family history of thyroid cancer or thyroid cancer syndromes
- personal history of radiation to the head, neck, or upper chest
- age under 20 years or over 70 years
- male gender
- nodules that are increasing in size
- nodules that have a hard consistency
- enlarged neck lymph nodes
- symptoms of hoarseness.
When a patient is diagnosed with a thyroid nodule, it is most important to rule out thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer is not common, but may occur in 5 – 10 % of patients with thyroid nodules. There are several factors that may increase... More -
Riverside Cancer Care Center answered:Risk factors for thyroid cancer include the following:
- Being between 25 and 65 years old
- Being female
- Being exposed to radiation to the head and neck as a child or being exposed to atomic bomb radiation. The cancer may occur as soon as 5 years after exposure.
- Having a history of goiter (enlarged thyroid) Having a family history of thyroid disease or thyroid cancer.
- Having certain genetic conditions such as familial medullary thyroid cancer (FMTC), multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A syndrome, and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B syndrome
- Being Asian
This answer is based on source information from National Cancer Institute.
Risk factors for thyroid cancer include the following: Being between 25 and 65 years old Being female Being exposed to radiation to the head and neck as a child or being exposed to atomic bomb radiation. The cancer may occur as soon as 5 years... More -
Dr. James Lee of Columbia University Department of Surgery answered:Although the causes of thyroid cancer are not well understood, there are 2 main factors which are known to put an individual at higher risk of developing the disease:
- a family history of thyroid cancer and
- exposure to radiation.
Although the causes of thyroid cancer are not well understood, there are 2 main factors which are known to put an individual at higher risk of developing the disease: a family history of thyroid cancer and exposure to radiation. More
