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    Difficulty swallowing & persistent throat pain? These are signs of thyroid cancer that shouldn't be missed

    Synopsis

    Thyroid cancer is mainly caused by DNA change.

    Untitled design - 2022-05-19T173550.564iStock
    If a small nodule or lump appear in the neck, especially on the sides, then it should be checked immediately.
    The small butterfly shaped gland located at the base of the neck that regulates some of the most important bodily functions is called the thyroid gland. T3 and T4 – also known as thyroid hormones affect all organs in your body. It controls the body’s metabolism and therefore regulates the weight, energy and metabolism. It also affects our heart rate.

    Hormones secreted by the pituitary gland (TSH) are always present in your bloodstream, but their levels may fluctuate when T4 levels in the blood are changing. When this fluctuation happens in abnormal degree, several disorders associated with the thyroid gland present themselves. Either the thyroid gland produces too much hormone and that condition is called hyperthyroidism and if your thyroid doesn't produce enough hormone it is called hypothyroidism.

    While both these conditions are manageable by medication, they require constant monitoring, and can elevate the risk of thyroid cancer.

    Causes of Thyroid Cancer
    The main cause of thyroid cancer is when there is an alteration in the DNA inside thyroid cells, which causes them to grow uncontrollably and produce a lump. The cause of this DNA change, however, is still unknown.

    Apart from hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism there are other factors that can make you more susceptible to this kind of cancer. A family history of this cancer also elevates the risk of an individual to get this ailment. Apart from these reasons, radiation exposure in childhood, obesity, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) which is a bowel condition, as well as acromegaly which is a condition where the body produces too much growth hormone can also lead to this kind of cancer.

    Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer
    There are several outward manifestations of thyroid cancer that one should watch out for if they suffer from hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. If a small nodule or lump appear in the neck, especially on the sides, then it should be checked immediately.

    Similarly, if the neck is growing thicker in a way that a close-fitting shirt collars feel too tight, that's a red flag too. If you notice sudden voice change, especially with an increased hoarseness in the texture of the voice, then that’s something that should not be ignored.

    If a person has difficulty swallowing or eating solid food that is normally easily eatable, or have swollen lymph glands in the neck or experience pain around the throat, they should consult a doctor ASAP.
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