Thyroid Cancer: Signs and Symptom


September 23, 2022

thyroid cancer

Here’s a little story about Tracey. Back in 2018, before her wedding, Tracey experienced a persistent cough. She chucked this up to wedding planning stress as well as her busy lifestyle. And so she didn’t think much about it and moved on.


When she got back from her honeymoon, she went to her family doctor for a checkup and there, they found a tiny bump on her neck that became a slight cause for concern. Afterwards, Tracey was referred to a specialist to look over the lump. That’s when she was diagnosed with stage 1 papillary thyroid carcinoma, a kind of thyroid cancer.


Tracey was in shock. She was young, only 33 years old, and exercised often. She didn’t drink or smoke. Although her grandfather had the same cancer at 70 years old, she wouldn’t have thought that she’d contract it, much more so at her age.


It’s more common than you think.


Thyroid cancer begins as a growth of cells found in the butterfly-shaped gland at the base of our necks, underneath the Adam’s apple. Our thyroid is responsible for producing hormones that regulate the heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, and even weight.


According to the Department of Health (DOH), thyroid cancer is considered the 7th most common cancer in the Philippines. It’s also the country’s most common endocrine-related malignancy with a rising number of cases every year.


Studies also show that women in the reproductive age group are more likely to develop thyroid cancer. Just like Tracey, there are many young women who are at risk. This is why it’s best to know the symptoms before it’s too late.


Symptoms of thyroid cancer.


It’s difficult to detect thyroid cancer at the earliest stages because, according to David Lieb, MD, this cancer frequently presents no symptoms.


However, when symptoms do occur, the most common one would be swelling in the neck. This is called a thyroid nodule.


When the conditions worsen and the nodule increases in size, it could cause other health issues including:


  • non-stop coughing

  • changes to the voice

  • hoarseness of the voice

  • discomfort when moving the head or neck

  • shortness of breath

  • problems swallowing


Risk factors.


There’s no clear cause for thyroid cancer to develop. But below is a list of potential risk factors that could increase your chances of contracting the disease:


  • being overweight/obese

  • iodine deficiency

  • having the RET gene associated with cancer

  • family history of thyroid cancer

  • family history of goiter

  • radiation exposure

  • being of Asian descent

  • being between ages 26-65

  • being female


HTML tutorial

Get the protection you deserve.

It’s important to be ready should a disease like thyroid cancer strikes. Hospital confinements, recovery periods, and even surgery may be required to treat thyroid cancer.


At Paramount Direct, our HealthCare Cash Plan has benefits that will help you pay off costly medical bills should you need treatment. It’s a health plan that caters to ages 20 to 50 years old, providing cash benefits for short-term and long-term confinements, ICU confinements, dread disease benefits, and a lump sum for surgeries.


Premium starts at PHP239/month for individuals. Based on age 20 and Plan 500.


To secure the protection you need, click on the button below:

HTML tutorial

Take that first step now. It’s never too early or late to prepare for what lies ahead.


Back