Public told to ‘self-check’ for thyroid cancer

Check yourself for lumps in the neck. The Department of Health (DOH) yesterday aired the advice to the public, while noting that “selfcheck” can help save one’s life from thyroid cancer.

“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,” Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said.

Men, Ubial said, should schedule further medical checks if they notice a lump other than their adam’s apple.

Ubial noted that just like breast cancer, anyone can detect signs and symptoms of thyroid cancer through self-checks.

The DOH is teaching teachers and parents on how to do a proper self-check as part of the observation of the National Thyroid Cancer Awareness Week.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, just above the collarbone. Thyroid hormones control the body’s metabolism, including how fast you burn calories and how fast your heart beats.

Aside from cancer, other thyroid diseases are goiter, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and thyroid nodules.

Based on DOH data, thyroid diseases are among the highly prevalent yet neglected illnesses in the country.

Almost one out of 10 Filipinos are affected by goiter while thyroid function abnormalities affect around eight percent of the population, with an estimated three percent affected by some form of hypothyroidism.

DOH said about six percent of the population are affected by some form of hyperthyroidism.

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

Thyroid cancer is the seventh most common cancer in the Philippines, ranking fourth among females and 17th among males.

As of July 2014, an estimated 5.8 million adults have goiter, which is the most common thyroid disorder that maybe a sign of thyroid cancer.

Contrary to beliefs, DOH said, goiter cannot be developed by excessive talking or shouting.

“We always say that prevention is better than cure. However, prevention may only be attained if we have the proper information as our weapon against these diseases,” Ubial said.

Aside from regular check-ups, the health chief urged the public to maintain a healthy and wellbalanced diet, exercise and avoid smoking and alcohol.