What are the risk factors for thyroid cancer? — Expert Video

Dr. Catherine Sinclair, a specialist in thyroid surgery, discusses the risk factors for thyroid cancer and notes that most people who develop it have no clear risk factors. She describes that in most cases, thyroid cancer occurs by chance and is not caused by anything a person has done. Known risk factors include exposure to high doses of radiation, such as radiation treatment to the neck for another cancer or exposure to nuclear fallout. Some cases of medullary thyroid cancer can run in families, although most thyroid cancers are not inherited. Dr. Sinclair emphasizes that having a risk factor does not mean a person will develop thyroid cancer, and most people diagnosed with the disease have no known risk factors at all.

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Understanding Thyroid Cancer — Animation

Understanding Thyroid Cancer — Slide Show

Expert Videos

1. What is thyroid cancer, and what causes it?

2. What are the signs and symptoms of thyroid cancer?

3. What are the risk factors for thyroid cancer?

4. How is thyroid cancer diagnosed?

5. How is thyroid cancer staged?

6. How is thyroid cancer treated?

This educational activity has been developed by The THANC (Thyroid, Head & Neck Cancer) Foundation, ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc., and Mechanisms in Medicine Inc.

This activity is supported by independent educational grants from Bayer, Eisai, Lilly, Rigel, THANC Foundation Board of Directors, and The Rosenfield Family.

Thank you to the funders of You And Thyroid Cancer. All content is developed independently by The THANC (Thyroid, Head & Neck Cancer) Foundation, ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc., and Mechanisms in Medicine Inc., in collaboration with an Expert Faculty group. Funders are allowed no influence on the content of You And Thyroid Cancer: An Animated Patient^® Guide to Thyroid Cancer.

Disclaimer: The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor about any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The visuals provided are meant for representation only. No specific brand is being promoted or endorsed.

This website is part of the Animated Patient^® series developed by Mechanisms in Medicine Inc., to provide highly visual formats of learning for patients to improve their understanding, make informed decisions, and partner with their healthcare professionals for optimal outcomes.