Did you know that the peak incidence of thyroid cancer is between 35 and 45 years old?

That when detected early, more than 80% of thyroid cancer is in the early stage (stage I or II)?

Approximately 39,000 new cases of thyroid cancer will be diagnosed this year!!!

Women are more likely than men to have a thyroid disease.

AND women OVER the age of 50 are at a higher risk… (Aunts – how many of you can answer yes to the below question)?

 

I need to ask since you either know me personally and know about what has happened to me since July or if you don’t know me personally but are a friend of a friend, or someone passed on the link (www.sendingsuesmiles.com) and you have read some of my – HAVE YOU CHECKED YOUR NECK FOR ANY SIGNS OF A LUMP OR ASKED YOU DR. TO CHECK?????  Do you know that if you do this (for the most part) thyroid cancer is associated with a 98% chance of survival…. 

 

If you answer NO to the above please, please, please do this check today.  Schedule an appointment today with at least your family doctor and ask him/her to check.  Make sure as part of your yearly physical that you have this done, that you have your TSH levels check (it might not have made a difference to me, but do you realize that if can make a difference to you or to someone you love)?

 

Because we hear a lot more about breast cancer I believe (or I like to believe) that we as women (and men you know you can get breast cancer too) have learned since our late teens or early 20’s to start feeling for lumps in our breasts but how many of us actually know you can and should do this too in your neck.  And I am going to answer honestly here, I didn’t know but then again I also never checked my breasts for lumps either.  But you know what I do now…  Learn from me, learn from someone else you love that may or may not have had their own scare or may have or may still be fighting their own battle.  Check, Check and double check.  A couple seconds a day may make a difference in your life and in the life of those who love you.

 

How to check

 

1.      Stand in front of a mirror
2. Stretch neck back
3. Swallow water
4. Look for enlargement in neck (below the Adam's Apple, above the collar bone)
5. Feel area to confirm enlargement or bump
6. If any problem is detected, see an doctor

 

Note: The "Neck Check" is not conclusive. A thorough examination by a physician is needed to diagnose or rule out thyroid cancer.

 

 

Love & Peace

Sue