Cyprus recorded 335 new cases of thyroid cancer in 2023, the Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends said on Monday, citing data from the Cyprus Cancer Registry.
According to the announcement, the cases involved 288 women and 107 men, while in 2022 the number of new cases stood at 421, involving 308 women and 113 men.
PASYKAF issued the statement to mark World Thyroid Day on May 25, saying the aim is to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of thyroid disorders, including thyroid cancer.
Georgia Orfanou, Director of Prevention and Social Marketing at PASYKAF, said the association’s goal is to provide meaningful public information on thyroid diseases, so that citizens can identify symptoms and risk factors that require medical assessment at an early stage.
The association said particular attention should be paid to symptoms such as persistent hoarseness, the appearance of a painless lump in the neck and difficulty swallowing.
Risk factors include gender, with women more likely to develop thyroid conditions, as well as age, family history, exposure to radiation during childhood, obesity, diabetes and low iodine intake.
PASYKAF said regular medical check-ups and self-examination of the neck area at least once a year can help detect possible changes.
The association said it remains available to provide the public with information material, lectures by health professionals and prevention and early diagnosis initiatives related to thyroid cancer.
Source: CNA
