About Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid cancer is increasing at alarming rates and yet the cause for most patients is still unknown. Given the rising rates, thyroid cancer is garnering more attention and importance across Canada, but research funding is too low. Considering the rapidly rising predominance of early stage, subclinical disease, a major focus in the diagnosis and management of thyroid cancer is to reduce the toxicity by using better diagnostic procedures and management strategies as well as prevent and detect recurrence. There is international consensus that the single most useful non-invasive study for evaluation of thyroid nodules is ultrasound imaging. Experts agree that carefully following small thyroid nodules by regular ultrasound imaging can prevent unnecessary biopsy and surgical procedures and identify the opportunity to treat true thyroid cancers early before they spread. Unfortunately, in Nova Scotia, as in many regions worldwide, the use of ultrasound imaging and reporting remains inconsistent and suboptimal. What is required is a reliable, evidence-based ultrasound imaging protocol with structured reporting much like that used for screening mammograms for breast cancer.
