September is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month
join with aacr to find better ways to prevent and treat thyroid cancer
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the throat. The gland uses iodine, a mineral found in some foods and in iodized salt, to help make several hormones that control heart rate, body temperature, metabolism, and the amount of calcium in the blood.
It is estimated that 45,240 individuals will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer and 2,320 patients will die of the disease in 2026. The five-year relative survival rate for this type of cancer is 98.3%.
There are four main types of thyroid cancer: papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic. Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common type, accounting for roughly 85% of all diagnoses.
Follicular thyroid cancer begins in follicular cells, which produce and store hormones, and usually grows slowly.
Medullary thyroid cancer develops in the thyroid’s C cells, which make a hormone called calcitonin that helps maintain calcium levels in the blood. This rare subtype may develop due to mutations in the RET gene, and about 25% of cases are inherited. About 90% of those with this mutation will go on to develop medullary thyroid cancer. Blood testing can usually detect the presence of this altered gene.
Anaplastic thyroid cancer is a very rare and aggressive type of thyroid cancer that usually affects those over age 60. This type of cancer grows and spreads quickly and is difficult to treat.
Exposure to radiation and a family history of thyroid issues are risk factors for thyroid cancer.
One Person’s Story
Karlie Kisha was diagnosed with thyroid cancer while training with the U.S. Field Hockey Team to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. After getting surgery, she was back on the field in two weeks and medically cleared to compete in the games just a few days before the team left for Paris. Kisha spoke with Cancer Research Catalyst, AACR’s official blog, about her experience at the Olympics and her decision to raise funds for cancer research by running the AACR Philadelphia Marathon 8K in 2025.
More on thyroid cancer
- Patients who have their entire thyroid gland removed have to take a daily thyroid replacement treatment for life. Carly Flumer shared a personal account of her thyroid cancer treatment journey with AACR’s patient magazine Cancer Today, including the difficulties of identifying the correct dosage for her thyroid replacement medication.
- Researchers are studying how molecularly targeted treatments can help physicians overcome evolving defensive techniques in thyroid cancer. Learn more on Cancer Research Catalyst.
- Studies have indicated an increased risk of thyroid cancer among the police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and volunteers who responded to the destruction of the World Trade Center in 2001. To learn more about this association, see Cancer Research Catalyst.
for more information
For more information on screening and treatment, please see the page on thyroid cancer.
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