A Guide to Thyroid Cancer Resources

Updated September 21, 2017
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If you have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer or you are a friend, family member, or caretaker for someone with thyroid cancer, it’s important for you to have access to the latest information, as well as support and thyroid cancer-related events.

While diagnoses of thyroid cancer are on the rise, it is still a relatively rare cancer. Only a specialized group of physicians have expertise in the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term followup of thyroid cancer patients.

Where can you get reliable information on thyroid cancer? Where can you find support? Let’s take a look.

Information About Thyroid Cancer Here at Verywell

Verywell is a good starting point in your search for information. You may find it helpful to read this in-depth overview of thyroid cancer, including the types of thyroid cancer, risk factors and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.

For those diagnosed with thyroid cancer during pregnancy, you will want to understand the specialized advice and protocols recommended for pregnant women.

You may hear people refer to thyroid cancer as the “good cancer,” an understandably controversial topic.

Other Helpful Information

A helpful site featuring a broad range of information on thyroid cancer is the Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, known as ThyCa. ThyCa maintains an up-to-date and informative website with a great deal of information, including:

    The American Cancer Society maintains a page featuring information about thyroid cancer. Their page includes general information about thyroid cancer statistics, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, staging, and a separate, easy-to-read, simple guide to thyroid cancer.

    The National Cancer Institute has a 48-page guide titled, "What You Need to Know About Thyroid Cancer," available online as a free downloadable PDF e-book.

    Two other reputable sites with information about thyroid cancer are Endocrine Web and the American Thyroid Association.

    Finally, the National Library of Medicine's PubMedHealth page on thyroid cancer features links to the latest research published about thyroid cancer.

    Leading Medical Centers

    Some of the leading U.S. medical centers and hospitals for thyroid cancer diagnosis include:

    Find a Thyroid Cancer Specialist

    If you are looking for an experienced surgeon with expertise in thyroid cancer, read How to Find a Top Thyroid Surgeon.

    Several organizations have lists or databases of physicians who are thyroid cancer specialists, including:

    The Low-Iodine Diet

    Some thyroid cancer patients need to follow a low-iodine diet for several weeks before having follow-up scans to detect any recurrence of thyroid cancer. To learn more about the low-iodine diet: 

    • ThyCa has an informative Low Iodine Diet page with information on how to follow a low-iodine diet. ThyCa also has a free, 420-recipe low-iodine cookbook available as a free PDF download. 
    • Another resource is a book, "The Low Iodine Cookbook," by Norene Gilletz, which features a number of recipes for tasty, low-iodine dishes that thyroid cancer patients can use during the low-iodine phase of followup scans.The book is available at bookstores. 

    Annual Conference

    ThyCa holds an annual conference for thyroid cancer patients and caregivers, often in September (Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month.) Learn more about the annual conference, which features speakers talking about all aspects of thyroid cancer, including treatment options, latest developments, nutrition, and lifestyle at the ThyCa Conferences page. 

    Support

    ThyCa has active online and in-person support groups for thyroid cancer patients.

    On Facebook, the Light of Life Foundation runs an active private forum for thyroid cancer survivors, friends, and family. Find out more about the Light of Life Thyroid Cancer survivors group.

    You can also find cancer support groups in your area at the support group search page provided by the American Cancer Society.

    A Word From Verywell

    Remember that the best outcomes for thyroid cancer patients are achieved when you work with healthcare providers who have experience diagnosing, treating, and managing thyroid cancer. 

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