These are symptoms that should alert you immediately.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in our country. According to the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) and the Spanish Network of Cancer Registries (REDECAN)it is estimated that there will be 286,664 cases of cancer in Spain in 2024, cThis is an increase compared to 2023 figures.

There are various reasons why these targets may be achieved by the end of the year, but it is mainly due to population growth, aging and exposure to risk factorssuch as tobacco, alcohol, obesity and sedentary lifestyle, according to SEOM.

The most common types of cancer in our country are colon and rectum, mammary gland, lungs, prostate and bladder. However, there are other types of cancer that are less common and have less impact, but ultimately have exactly the same impact. Hence the need to identify symptoms in time and immediately contact a specialist.which can check whether we are facing a possible case of cancer. And one of them is thyroid cancer.

thyroid cancer in numbers

According to SEOM and REDECAN, The year 2024 will end with approximately 6,345 new cases of thyroid cancer.which will mainly affect women (4,775 cases) compared to men (1,570 cases). So how can we identify the first symptoms?

First of all, it is important to remember that the thyroid gland is a gland located in the upper part of the neck, just in front of the larynx. It consists of two connected lobes and is shaped like a butterfly.

Its main function is to produce and release hormones that have different effects on the metabolism of various body functions such as heart rate, temperature, blood pressure and even weight. When we encounter a case of cancer, as in any of these cases, abnormal cell growth occurs. In this case, in the thyroid gland.

While it is true that in the vast majority of cases growth is relatively slow, in some cases it can be very aggressive. Apart from all this, if detected in time, this type of cancer is treatable and curable.and in most cases it can be cured with appropriate treatment.

How to identify the first symptoms of thyroid cancer?

In the early stages, thyroid cancer may not show symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, as he grows He begins to exhibit a number of easily identifiable symptoms:

• A lump (or nodule) that can be felt through the skin of the neck.
• Feeling that the collars of clothes suitable for this area are tighter than usual.
• Voice changes that usually result in hoarseness that gets worse over time.
• Difficulty swallowing normally.
• Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
• Sore throat and neck area

If you notice one or more of these symptoms, it is recommended that you consult a specialist for a diagnosis. In some cases Thyroid cancer can come back even after it has been treated.

There are also some cases where it can spread and move to other parts of the body such as lymph nodes in the neck, lungs, bones, brain, liver or foot, but it is very easy to identify using imaging tests and MRI.