The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck that produces hormones regulating heart rate, metabolism, and body temperature. These hormones are synthesized using iodine and ensure every cell in the body functions correctly. Public health campaigns aim to increase understanding of diseases affecting this organ, particularly cancer, which often goes undetected in its early stages. Awareness efforts promote early screening and education for conditions that may be overlooked by the general public.
Identifying the Official Awareness Month
The official observance dedicated to this cause is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, which takes place every September. This annual campaign unifies the efforts of survivors, patients, and medical professionals worldwide to highlight the disease. This global movement was initiated by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, expanding from a week-long observance in 2000 to a full month by 2003. The awareness ribbon associated with this effort features a unique combination of colors: teal, pink, and blue. This tricolor ribbon is used by organizations like the American Thyroid Association to symbolize the fight against the disease and the spectrum of the patient experience.
Core Messages Promoted During Awareness
The central message of the awareness movement is the importance of early detection, often summarized as “Find It Early.” Campaigns strongly advocate for individuals to perform a simple self-examination known as the “Neck Check.” This involves gently feeling the neck area for any unusual lumps or masses and observing the neck while swallowing to see if any bulge moves up and down. Since most people with thyroid cancer have no symptoms, finding a lump is often the first sign, making this check valuable.
Common physical signs that warrant immediate consultation with a physician include a lump or fullness in the neck that may be growing, or swelling in the neck area. Other possible indications are hoarseness or other voice changes that persist, trouble swallowing, or a chronic cough. Awareness messaging also highlights risk factors for the disease, such as a history of substantial radiation exposure, particularly in childhood. A family history of thyroid cancer, especially the most common type, papillary thyroid cancer, also increases personal risk.
Understanding Thyroid Cancer: Key Facts and Statistics
Thyroid cancer is considered relatively uncommon compared to other malignancies, yet it is one of the fastest-growing cancer diagnoses in the United States. The incidence rates for this disease have more than doubled since the 1970s, making it a growing public health concern. Approximately 44,000 individuals are diagnosed annually in the U.S., and it affects women about three times more frequently than men. The median age at diagnosis is around 50 years old.
The most prevalent form is papillary thyroid cancer, accounting for roughly 70% to 80% of all cases, and it has a very slow growth rate. Follicular thyroid cancer is the second most common type, making up about 10% to 15% of diagnoses. Medullary and anaplastic types are less common, with anaplastic being the most aggressive form, though it accounts for less than 2% of all thyroid cancers. The overall prognosis for most differentiated thyroid cancers is favorable, with the five-year relative survival rate for localized disease often exceeding 98%. This high survival rate is linked to early diagnosis and the effectiveness of modern treatment protocols.
Ways to Support the Awareness Movement
Individuals can contribute to the awareness movement through several practical steps during September and throughout the year. Sharing educational content on social media platforms is an effective way to disseminate information about symptoms and risk factors to a wider audience. Many organizations provide free, downloadable materials, such as neck check guides, that can be easily distributed online or in community settings.
Direct support can be provided to organizations like ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association through donations or by volunteering time to assist with local and national outreach programs. A simple, actionable step is to actively encourage friends and family members to perform the self-monitoring neck check. Furthermore, people can advocate for routine thyroid screenings to be included in regular physical examinations, especially for those with identified risk factors.