Define Me

I am not my disease.

I am not the tumor that grew inside of me.

I am not the scar on my neck.

I am not the handful of pills I take each day.

I am a survivor.

Cancer And A Cavity

One of the most commonly asked questions about thyroid cancer: Why? How does one go from living healthy one day, to being a cancer patient the next? While science hasn’t given us complete answers, there has been new research indicating what doesn’t give people cancer.

According to a new study through the American Journal of Epidemiology, documented by the DrBicuspid Staff, dental x-rays have been analyzed because of the growing concern of radiation exposure to the neck during dentist appointments.

In the past, it has been thought that exposure to the x-rays during childhood visits to the dentist might have increased the chances of getting Thyroid Cancer later in life. So, to find out how much risk was involved, data was collected from 1983 to 2006 from different age groups.

The study’s findings revealed that there was “no clear evidence of thyroid cancer risk associated with diagnostic x-rays.” Researchers concluded that if there is a relationship between the dental x-rays and the cancer, it is very slim.

In order to further clarify these results, more tests and studies will have to be done. As of right now, though, it’s fairly certain that dental x-rays aren’t something to fear when it’s time for that 6-month check-up.

Closing In On A Cure

Thyroid cancer has many different types that affect hundreds of thousands of people world-wide. There hasn’t been a “cure” found, per-say, but science has been moving closer and closer in that direction.

Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a treatment for a rare type of thyroid cancer called metastic medullary thyroid cancer, or MTC.

MTC is abnormal in that “unlike 90 percent of differentiated thyroid cancers, MTC does not respond to the most common treatments, making it difficult to manage.” Not to mention that it usually isn’t detected until it’s at a late stage.

However, the new drug called cabozantinib, “blocks the gene” that causes MTC. It’s an extraordinary discovery that will begin to help patients immediately.

Some side effects have been noted to include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, weight loss, and constipation. Lower the dosage of the drug helps reduce these symptoms if any of them appear.

Cabozantinib may not be the cure for cancer, but it is definitely one step in the right direction. Researchers are now looking into using it as “a therapy for numerous tumor types, including prostate, ovarian, brain, melanoma, breast, and non-small cell lung cancers.”

With this innovation, I can’t wait to see what the future holds for those who suffer the ultimate diagnosis.

Want more info? Click here.

Calling On Cancer

Since the popularization of cell phones, there has been growing concerns of radiation exposure from increased usage. Could your cell phone really damage your health like that, though?

Recent studies from Tel-Aviv University show that there might be a definite correlation between cell phone usage and thyroid cancer. While the study is still quite new, it is still something to be concerned about.

The study shows the “first definitive link between cell phone radiation and thyroid cancer through exposing healthy human thyroid cells to electromagnetic radiation released by cell phones.” The results found that thyroid cells were irritated increasingly with cell phone usage compared to a control group of individuals who didn’t use their cell phones.

Thyroid surgeon Babak Larian, MD, FACS states that “It’s difficult to say whether or not the findings are conclusive at this point, though as an advocate for continued research of head and neck cancer, I fully support continued studies in this area.”

As researchers continue to study and analyze results on cell phone radiation, doctors try to ease concerns by reminding patients that when detected early, thyroid cancer is one of the most treatable cancers and that there is a significant recovery rate in comparison to other forms of cancer.

For more information on this study, click here.

Brooke’s Battle

No one is immune to thyroid cancer. Just about anyone can get it, and Hollywood stars are no exception. Previous bikini model and current “Dancing with the Stars” host, Brooke Burke-Charvet, has fought thyroid cancer and won.

Brooke, 41, says that her secret to being healthy post-cancer is just to eat right and stay active.

After surgery, some patients tend to feel a bit depressed and tired. Brooke fought that, however, with a daily exercise routine. She says that after a while, she just needed to “get that adrenaline rush. It’s the best antidepressant. It’s like the best medicine in the world.”

She also recommends watching what you eat. Lunch is her biggest meal and she tries to stay on a Mediterranean diet with greens, fish, and vegetables. It has helped her immensely and she is now just as healthy as she was before surgery, and even before cancer.

Anyone who has been through treatments and surgery can feel just as good as Brooke does by following her advice. All you need is a balanced diet and movement in your life. Don’t let cancer define your life. Cancer is just a complication that some people have to face in life, but it isn’t their whole life.

Be happy, be healthy, and be yourself.

For more information on Brooke’s fight and healthy habits, click here.

The Straight Facts

Cases of thyroid cancer have doubled in just the last few decades. Just last year, according to the American Cancer Society, 60,000 people were diagnosed with it. While many say it is the best cancer to have because of its treat-ability and survival rate, it is still something that everyone should be aware of.

So, how do you know if you have thyroid cancer? Some of the most common symptoms have been highlighted in an article by ThirdAge.com.

The first symptom is a lump in the front of your neck. These can vary in size and rate of growth. If you feel like there might be a lump, make sure to keep track of it and look for any signs of growth.

Another symptom is hoarseness. Sometimes thyroid cancer can affect your voice box and can cause difficulty speaking.

Feel around the front of your neck to check your lymph nodes. If they feel enlarged or tender to the touch, make note of it.

If you have any difficulty swallowing, it may be because the growth can put stress on the esophagus.

If any of these symptoms seem to be causing you issues, check with your doctor immediately. It’s better to be aware of it than to not know anything at all.