Her family did not have a history of thyroid cancer, she added. “I don’t think (my doctor) meant (for me to) wait a whole year, which is what I ended up doing,” she shared.

Unlike most types of cancer, thyroid cancer primarily affects relatively young people and is more common in women than men. However, it has a very high recovery rate.

But when thyroid cells start to grow out of control, they can trigger thyroid cancer. As for why it shows up mostly in women, some medical researchers say it’s due to the female hormone estrogen.

This year, the American Cancer Society says doctors will diagnose an estimated 44,000 Americans with thyroid cancer. The majority of them will be women, close to 32,000.

Thyroid cancer is often overlooked, yet its impact is growing in South Africa. As we observe International Thyroid Awareness Week from 25 to 31 May, it's crucial to understand the risks, symptoms ...