When was the last time you checked your neck? September is
Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month and it is time to check your
neck. The thyroid is a butterfly- shaped gland that is found on
the front of your neck above the collarbone below your Adams’
apple; it produces hormones that help your body function.
(http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/thyroidcancer.html) Although
most thyroid nodules are benign some lumps can be cancerous.
Caught early cancerous nodules are typically treatable, but some
nodules are aggressive and metastasize.
(http://www.thyca.org/news/awarenessmonth0912.htm) Thyroid
cancer is the fastest increasing cancer and the 5th most common
cancer in women. In 2012, it is estimated that 56,460 people
will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer and 1780 will die from
thyroid cancer in the US with 200,000 cases predicted worldwide.
(http://www.thyca.org/news/awarenessmonth0912.htm) Often thyroid
cancer is diagnosed when a lump (nodule) is noticed in the neck.
Often these lumps are discovered during routine ex