The Consulto
Actress Badria Tolba revealed during her interview on the “Had El Nogoum” program on ON Channel at the El Alamein Festival that she was diagnosed with thyroid disease at the age of 18, stating: “The disease was deteriorating my body and my weight dropped to 45 kilos.”
In the following report, “Consolto” reviews the most important information related to thyroid cancer, according to the National Health Service (NHS).
Read also: 5 Common Cancers That Threaten Women
Symptoms of thyroid cancer
Thyroid cancer presents a concerning set of symptoms, which can indicate an infection. The most notable symptoms include:
– A lump in the lower front of the neck, typically hard and slowly enlarging, but not painful.
– Hoarseness
– Sore throat.
– Difficulty swallowing or breathing.
– Redness in the face.
– A sensation of pressure on the neck.
– Diarrhea.
– Weight loss.
– Cough.
It is important to note that these symptoms do not necessarily indicate thyroid cancer, as they may point to other illnesses. However, if they persist for more than three weeks, particularly sore throat, cough, or hoarseness, it is advisable to consult a doctor promptly.
You may be interested in: Watch out – signs of a thyroid problem
Causes of thyroid cancer
A person is more likely to develop thyroid cancer if they:
– Are a woman, even if she has gone through menopause.
– Have a condition that adversely affects the thyroid gland.
– Have a family history of thyroid cancer.
– Have been exposed to significant amounts of radiation, particularly during childhood.
– Have a history of certain cancers, such as esophageal, breast, testicular, or lymphatic cancers.
– Lead an unhealthy lifestyle, such as smoking and alcohol consumption.
You may also like: When does an enlarged thyroid gland indicate cancer?
Methods of diagnosing thyroid cancer
Doctors do not rely solely on symptoms to diagnose thyroid cancer; they ensure the patient undergoes the following tests:
– Blood tests.
– Ultrasound examination of the neck.
– Obtaining a small sample from the thyroid gland for laboratory analysis.
Read also: Thyroid tests – when do we need them?
Thyroid cancer treatment
The doctor determines the most suitable treatment for thyroid cancer based on:
– Tumor size.
– The extent of tumor spread.
– The patient’s health condition.
Treatment for thyroid cancer may include:
– Chemotherapy.
– Radiation therapy.
– Hormonal therapy.
– Radioactive iodine therapy.
The doctor may also consider surgical intervention to:
– Completely remove the thyroid gland.
– Partially remove the thyroid gland.
– Remove some lymph nodes from the neck if there is concern that the cancer has spread to them or has already done so.
You may be interested in: What happens to your body when your thyroid is removed?
Ways to prevent thyroid cancer
To reduce the risk of thyroid cancer, it is advisable to:
– Regularly examine the thyroid gland for early detection of cancer and to increase the chances of successful treatment.
– Quit smoking.
– Limit alcohol consumption.
– Lose excess weight.
– Maintain a healthy diet.
The Consulto
Actress Badria Tolba revealed during her interview on the “Had El Nogoum” program on ON Channel on the sidelines of the El Alamein Festival that she was diagnosed with thyroid disease at the age of 18, adding: “The disease was eating away at my body and my weight reached 45 kilos.”
In the following report, “Consolto” reviews the most important information related to thyroid cancer, according to the National Health Service (NHS).
Read also: 5 Common Cancers That Threaten Women
Symptoms of thyroid cancer
Thyroid cancer can present a disturbing set of symptoms which may overlap with those of other conditions. The most prominent symptoms include:
- A lump in the lower front of the neck, usually hard and slow-growing, but not painful.
- Hoarseness.
- Sore throat.
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing.
- Facial redness.
- A sensation like something is pressing on the neck.
- Diarrhea.
- Weight loss.
- Cough.
It is essential to note that these symptoms do not necessarily correlate with thyroid cancer; however, if they persist for more than three weeks—especially sore throat, cough, or hoarseness—it is advisable to seek medical attention promptly.
You may be interested in: Watch out – signs of a thyroid problem
Causes of thyroid cancer
Several factors can increase an individual’s risk of developing thyroid cancer:
- Being a woman, even if postmenopausal.
- Having a thyroid gland condition.
- A family history of thyroid cancer.
- Exposure to a significant amount of radiation, particularly during childhood.
- A history of other cancers, such as esophageal, breast, testicular, or lymphoma.
- Engaging in unhealthy lifestyle habits, including smoking and alcohol consumption.
You may also like: When does an enlarged thyroid gland indicate cancer?
Methods of diagnosing thyroid cancer
Diagnosing thyroid cancer does not rely solely on symptoms; a physician will conduct various tests, including:
- Blood tests to check hormone levels.
- Ultrasound examination of the neck to identify abnormalities.
- A biopsy to obtain a small sample for lab analysis.
Read also: Thyroid tests – when do we need them?
Thyroid cancer treatment
Treatment for thyroid cancer varies based on multiple factors such as tumor size, the extent of spread, and the patient’s overall health. Common treatment options include:
- Chemotherapy.
- Radiation therapy.
- Hormonal therapy.
- Radioactive iodine therapy.
- Surgical procedures for:
- Complete removal of the thyroid gland.
- Partial removal of the thyroid gland.
- Removing lymph nodes in the neck if cancer is suspected to have spread.
You may be interested in: What happens to your body when your thyroid is removed?
Ways to prevent thyroid cancer
To lower the risk of developing thyroid cancer, consider the following preventive measures:
- Regular thyroid examinations for early detection.
- Quit smoking to improve overall health.
- Avoid alcohol consumption.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Follow a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
