A simple way to check your thyroid at home

The American Cancer Society says thyroid cancer is one of the fastest growing cancers, with an estimated 52,000 new cases being detected in the country this year. According to the organization, women are three times more likely to get this disease than men. 

Sharing with Good Morning America , Benjamin R. Roman, a surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, said the most common symptom of thyroid cancer is a lump or an enlarged tumor. in the neck. 

Therefore, a neck self-test is the best way to detect thyroid-related diseases early. 

"The abnormal growth of the thyroid gland is visible to the naked eye during a mirror and it will be especially obvious when swallowed , " Roman added. 

The test steps are as follows: 

Steps to check neck at home. (Photo: Verywellhealth).

• Step 1 : Stand in front of the mirror, do not wear turtlenecks, scarves or other objects that can obscure the view. 
• Step 2 : Lift your neck, chin up toward the ceiling to widen the view. 
• Step 3 : Take a sip of water. When drinking water in this position, the larynx will be moved forward, helping the thyroid to be more clearly visualized and easy to detect abnormalities. 
• Step 4 : Observe the abnormal growth in the lower part of the neck. When swallowed, look for abnormal enlargement, lump or bulge in the neck. To ensure a better effect, repeat the act of drinking water and observing several times 
• Step 5 : Feel the bump and growth. Gently touch and massage around the thyroid gland to feel for signs of abnormal growth. 
• Step 6 : Follow up with the doctor. If a tumor or abnormal growth of the thyroid is found, the patient should talk to a doctor immediately. Next, doctors can perform methods of detecting diseases such as ultrasound, hormone tests, CT scans, etc. 

The thyroid is an important part of the endocrine system, regulates breathing rate, heart rate, body temperature, muscle control and mood. (Photo: Good Morning America).

Thyroid cancer is usually treated with surgical methods, radioactive iodine, external beam radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hormones .

Although most thyroid cancers are successfully cured when detected early, according to the Association of Thyroid Cancer Survivors, 30% of recurrences after treatment have to be monitored throughout. lifetime.