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Cancers at a glance

Click the cancer types below to view the latest key facts on trends in new cases, deaths and survival in NSW.

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In depth cancer reports

For detailed data and analysis, please see the latest cancer reports published by the Cancer Institute

Cancer in NSW: Incidence and Mortality 2008

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Thyroid cancer

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Thyroid cancer accounts for 2.1 per cent of all new cancer in NSW and less than 0.2 per cent of cancer deaths.

At a glance

2008 statistics Men Women All People
Cases Rate Trend Cases Rate Trend Cases Rate
New cases 202 5.7 78.8 negative trend upwards 578 15.9 71.3 negative trend upwards 780 10.8
Deaths 11 0.3 icon-trend-static.png 20 0.5 icon-trend-static.png 31 0.4
Relative survival
(5 year)		 91% icon-trend-static.png 1% 97% icon-trend-static.png 2% -

icon-trend-static.png No statistically significant change.

  • Thyroid cancer is the 13th most common cancer and the 32nd most common cause of cancer death in NSW
  • One in 174 males and one in 68 females will develop thyroid cancer by the age of 85
  • Overall survival is high. The five-year survival is 91 per cent in males and 97 per cent in females
  • Survival is 98.1 per cent when the disease is localised at diagnosis

Cases refers to the number of people with the disease; Rate means cases per 100,000 people (age standardised); Trend means the change in the rate over 10 years.

Historical trends

New cases

Age-standardised incidence, NSW

thyroid-incidence.png

Deaths

Age-standardised mortality, NSW

thyroid-mortality.png

 

Risk factors

  • Iodine deficiency and iodine excess may increase the risk.
  • Iodine deficiency can cause a goitre, and a swelling of the neck may be associated with thyroid cancer.
  • Internal and external exposure of the thyroid to radiation increases the risk.
  • Females are three times more likely than males to develop thyroid cancer.
  • Genetic mutations involving certain genes is known to cause papillary thyroid carcinoma, the most common type of thyroid cancer.

 

Prevention

A balanced diet which includes sufficient iodine intake, as well as increased consumption of fruits, vegetables and fish may be protective against thyroid cancer.

Detection and screening

There is no screening test for thyroid cancer. Symptoms are also associated with more common illnesses that are not cancer. Symptoms may include: goitre, an unusual lump in the neck, swollen lymph nodes and persistent pain in the throat and neck.
Tests to diagnose thyroid cancer include physical examination and a thyroid scan.

Research

Around $1.2 million was spent on research into thyroid and other endocrine cancers in NSW between 2007 and 2009.

Data sources:

  1. Cancer In NSW, Incidence and Mortality Report 2008. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, August 2010.
  2. Cancer Research in NSW 2007-2009. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW. March 2011.

There is no screening test for thyroid cancer. Symptoms are also associated with more common illnesses that are not cancer. Symptoms may include: goitre, an unusual lump in the neck, swollen lymph nodes and persistent pain in the throat and neck.

Tests to diagnose thyroid cancer include physical examination and a thyroid scan.

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