Brooke Burke recently announced she was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer and will be undergoing surgery. First, I would like to say that I wish Brooke all the best as she undergoes surgery and recovery from her procedure and cancer treatment. I applaud Brooke for opening up about her diagnosis. The glimpse into her private life and personal journey with thyroid cancer serves as a teachable moment. It helps educate others about the importance of listening to your body, and your doctor!
I am saddened by the barrage of folks who insinuated that Brooke is vain for commenting on the scar she’ll have. Frankly Brooke is a beautiful woman who lives and works in an industry where appearance matters. Brooke isn’t vain, she’s like any other woman who wants to take care of her body and look her best. Scars are a constant reminder of what we have been through in life. Even when I get a mosquito bite I pray it doesn’t leave a scar. I guess I’m vain too. Tips for surgical scars: take care of the incision site and follow your doctor’s care. When the incision has healed consider using cocoa butter, silicone or arnica to help it fade.
Since her public announcement many folks have emailed and asked me, “What is thyroid cancer?” Here are a few facts:
Thyroid cancer is cancer of the small butterfly-shaped gland in the neck around the Adam’s apple called the thyroid. It’s not one of the most common cancers but it has increased in incidence through the years. The American Cancer Society reports in the U.S. in 2012 there will be about 56,000 new cases of thyroid cancer and about 43,000 of those diagnosed will be women. Ladies before you get worried 80%-90% of the cases of thyroid cancer are 100% successfully treated!
Most thyroid nodules are not cancer. Actually only about 1 in 20 thyroid nodules is cancerous. Most people who have thyroid cancer don’t even know they have it; a doctor frequently finds it during a routine physical exam. As in Brooke’s case, and similar to many other people, she had a nodule or a lump that she felt in her neck. And the nodule isn’t usually painful. We have all seen pictures of a person with a huge lump in their neck called a goiter. Even a grapefruit sized lump doesn’t necessarily mean you have cancer. But what a goiter or even a thyroid cancer can cause is changes in your voice like hoarseness; difficulty swallowing or breathing; lymph nodes that are constantly swollen; or pain in the throat or neck. If you have any of those symptoms get checked-out by a doctor. Your doctor may then recommend you go for further evaluation that may include an ultrasound, blood tests or a consultation with a specialist.
The majority of thyroid cancers are called papillary and follicular. If found early these are usually 100% treatable with partial or full removal of the thyroid gland called a thyroidectomy. This is the type of surgery that Brooke will have. There are other types of thyroid cancer, some that have genetic associations, and others that are more aggressive. Therefore, some people need surgery and other treatments including radioactive iodine, chemotherapy and radiation.
Once treated for thyroid cancer surgically or by radiation it is necessary to replace the body’s thyroid hormone with medication. Therefore it is important to have regular follow-ups with a doctor and monitor thyroid hormone levels including TSH, T4, and Thyroglobulin.
I commend Brooke for coming forward and sharing her story. She stated she ignored her own doctor’s recommendation to get a thyroid ultrasound after she found a lump in her neck, saying she “felt great, and didn’t feel sick.” It wasn’t until a friend shared her own story with thyroid cancer that Brooke went for follow-up. Ladies, be an advocate for yourself and your friends … Brooke we wish you a speedy recovery!