DOH alert up on thyroid cancer

THE Department of Health (DOH) is raising up the alert level on thyroid cancer as the seventh most common cancer in the Philippines, ranking fourth among females and 17th among males.

The DOH report showed that as of July 2014, a total of 5.8 million Filipino adults have goiter, the most common thyroid disorder that is a sign of thyroid cancer.

DOH Regional Director Marlyn Convocar said aside from breast cancer, anyone can now detect signs and symptoms of thyroid cancer through self-check.

This year, teachers and parents are taught how to do a proper self-check for early signs of thyroid cancer and to address myths regarding the illness.

Thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, just above the collarbone.

Thyroid hormones control the body’s metabolism. These include how fast you burn calories and how fast your heart beats.

Convocar said the easiest way is to examine the neck for abnormal lumps.

Just stand in front of a mirror with a glass of water. Look at your neck in the mirror and see if there are any visible lumps moving up and down while taking a sip of water.

For men, the most visible structure on the neck is Adam’s apple. Any lump below this structure may be abnormal and must be further investigated.

Thyroid diseases include goiter, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroid cancer and thyroid nodules.

These are highly prevalent, yet neglected diseases in the Philippines.

Data from the 2012 Philippine Thyroid Diseases Study (Philtides) revealed that almost 1 out of 10 Filipinos is affected by goiter.

Thyroid function abnormalities affect around 8 percent of the population, with an estimated 3 percent affected by some form of hypothyroidism, and about 6 percent affected by some form of hyperthyroidism.

These thyroid diseases affect women disproportionately, with women affected three times as much as men.

Starting this year, every fourth week of September is National Thyroid Cancer Awareness Week as stated in the Republic Act 10786 or National Thyroid Cancer Awareness Week Act, which was approved on May 3, 2016.