Thyroid Cancer Awareness Urged by ThyCa

October 25, 2004

Contact: Cherry Wunderlich, thyca@thyca.org, cw.kc@his.com, 301-493-8810
Outreach Coordinator, ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc.

ThyCa Urges Individuals to Receive “Neck Checks” for Possible Thyroid Cancer

In response to the news that U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association (www.thyca.org) urges everyone to learn about thyroid cancer and have a neck check at their next doctor's appointment. Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer and is one of the few cancers that is increasing in incidence. It is number one among women and number three among men in the rate at which its incidence has increased in recent years."

“Early detection is a key to treating thyroid cancer, and lifelong follow-up is just as important” said ThyCa Board Chair Gary Bloom of Olney, Maryland, a thyroid cancer survivor. “Many thyroid cancer survivors first become aware that they may have cancer when they notice a nodule on their lower neck. While most are benign, we want everyone with thyroid cancer to benefit from early detection and treatment.”

“Doctors are also essential to the detection of thyroid cancer,” continued Bloom. “It only takes a few minutes for doctors to examine a patient’s thyroid, but those few minutes could make all the difference in the world when it comes to thyroid cancer.”

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc. is a national, all-volunteer nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization of thyroid cancer survivors, family members, and health care professionals dedicated to support, education, and communication for thyroid cancer survivors, their families and friends, as well as to thyroid cancer awareness and research. ThyCa is the sponsor of the national Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month and provides free awareness and educational materials, including the Thyroid Cancer Awareness brochure featuring actress Catherine Bell, co-star of the hit TV series J.A.G. and thyroid cancer survivor.

For more information about ThyCa’s free year-round support services, education, and publications, e-mail tothyca@thyca.org, call toll-free 1-877-588-7904, write to PO Box 1545, New York, NY 10159-1545, or visit the web site at www.thyca.org.