Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month: What You Need to Know

Featuring Dr. Rashmi Roy, Thyroid Surgeon | Hospital for Endocrine Surgery, Tampa

In honor of Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, we spoke with Dr. Rashmi Roy, one of the nation’s leading thyroid surgeons. Performing over 600 surgeries annually, Dr. Roy brings a wealth of experience and clarity to a topic that’s often misunderstood.

If you have a thyroid nodule, have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, or are navigating a thyroid cancer diagnosis—this episode is a must-listen.

Why Thyroid Cancer Awareness Matters

Thyroid cancer is the fifth most common cancer among women in the U.S., particularly affecting women between the ages of 30–50. Most thyroid cancers present without symptoms and are often found by accident. That’s why early detection, including self-checks and ultrasound screenings, is critical.

Risk Factors & Types of Thyroid Cancer

You may be at higher risk if:

• You’re a woman aged 30–50
• You’ve had radiation exposure, especially in childhood
• You have a family history of thyroid disease or medullary thyroid cancer

Most common types:

• Papillary: Most common and highly curable
• Follicular: Also curable and grouped with papillary cancers
• Medullary: Rare, may be genetic
• Anaplastic: Very rare and aggressive

Dr. Roy reminds us: 90–95% of thyroid nodules are benign. Evaluation and monitoring are key.

How to Do a Monthly Neck Self-Check

Dr. Roy recommends this simple routine:

1. Stand in front of a mirror.
2. Tilt your head back and swallow.
3. Watch for lumps or bulges in the lower neck area.
4. Gently feel the area for anything unusual.

She also encourages thyroid ultrasounds starting around age 30—especially for women. Even small nodules can be found before they cause symptoms.

What Happens When a Nodule Is Found?

• Ultrasound assesses the shape, size, and blood flow of the nodule.
• Biopsy is done only if the nodule appears suspicious.
• If cancer is confirmed, lymph node involvement is checked before planning surgery.

Even benign nodules may be monitored regularly to track changes over time.

Surgery vs. Monitoring: When to Act

Not every thyroid nodule requires surgery. But if it does, Dr. Roy walks through the options:

• Lobectomy: Removing half the thyroid. Often preserves function.
• Total Thyroidectomy: Full gland removal when cancer is present in both lobes or lymph nodes.
• Lymph Node Dissection: Only when needed.

New technologies like Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) can be used to treat benign nodules in select cases—but not cancer.

Choosing the Right Surgeon: What to Ask

Experience matters. Look for surgeons who:

• Perform at least 300 thyroid surgeries per year
• Use nerve monitoring during surgery
• Specialize in thyroid or endocrine surgery

Ask your surgeon:

• How many thyroid surgeries do you perform annually?
• What’s your complication rate?
• Do you monitor the recurrent laryngeal nerve during surgery?

Myth-Busting: What You’ve Heard vs. What’s True

MYTH: "Thyroid cancer is the good kind of cancer."
REALITY: It's highly treatable, but not harmless. Delay can cause serious complications.

MYTH: "Any surgeon can do thyroid surgery."
REALITY: This surgery is complex—choose someone with high-volume, specialized experience.

MYTH: "Small cancers can be watched."
REALITY: Even tiny cancers can spread unpredictably. Active monitoring should be cautious and case-specific.

Hashimoto’s and Surgery: When It Makes Sense

Surgery isn’t the first step—but can be considered for:

• Patients with debilitating symptoms who haven’t responded to medical management
• Patients with high antibodies and poor quality of life

Surgery can significantly reduce antibody levels, but results vary. It's not a cure—but for some, it’s life-changing.

After Surgery: What to Expect

Risks to know:

• Nerve injury (affects voice): minimized with nerve monitoring
• Parathyroid gland damage: regulates calcium, can require supplements

At high-volume centers, long-term complications are rare. Most patients recover well with temporary supplements.

About Dr. Rashmi Roy

• Thyroid Surgeon, Hospital for Endocrine Surgery, Tampa, FL
• YouTube: Goiter Guru – Educational videos and real surgical cases
• Search for “Dr. Rashmi Roy” to find more resources

Final Thoughts

Thyroid health is often overlooked—until it’s not. Whether you’re facing thyroid nodules, autoimmune thyroiditis, or cancer, the key is early detection and expert care.

Self-checks and ultrasounds may seem small—but they can save your voice, your health, and your peace of mind.

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