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THYROID CANCER
Fears experienced by women and men diagnosed with low-risk papillary thyroid cancer
BACKGROUND
Many patients experience emotions such as shock, fear, and anxiety when they get diagnosed with thyroid cancer. In addition, patients may express concerns related to the uncertainty of having cancer, and the potential risks associated with cancer treatment. In studies involving cancer patients, gender has been found to be important in influencing the level of distress that patients experience. Therefore, information about how men and women experience fears related to thyroid cancer diagnosis and treatment are needed to inform strategies on how we can best support patients with thyroid cancer.
This study aimed to examine the association between gender and age with fears related to thyroid cancer progression or potential surgical treatment.
THE FULL ARTICLE TITLE
Sawka AM et al for the Canadian Thyroid Cancer Active Surveillance Study Group (Greater Toronto Area) 2023 Gender differences in fears related to low-risk papillary thyroid cancer and its treatment. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Epub 2023 Sep 1. PMID: 37410454.
SUMMARY OF THE STUDY
The authors surveyed 200 Canadian patients (153 women and 47 men) with low-risk papillary thyroid cancer who were offered the choice of active surveillance (monitoring with ultrasound rather than proceeding with immediate surgery) or immediate thyroid surgery for treatment of their thyroid cancer. Overall, 78% (155 total patients: 120 women and 35 men) of the study participants chose to undergo active surveillance.
In terms of gender, men and women reported similar levels of fear of thyroid cancer progression, but women reported a higher level of fear of surgery and its potential negative consequences. Specifically, women reported more fear than men in response to questions on fears about surgery, anesthesia, pain, deteriorating health due to the operation, and the recovery period. Women also reported experiencing more fear about potential thyroid surgeryrelated complications such as voice changes, low calcium levels, and the appearance of the scar. Furthermore, the authors found that younger age was associated with greater report of fear of thyroid cancer progression and fear of surgery.
WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS STUDY?
The study findings suggest that men and women with papillary thyroid cancer may benefit from different approaches when receiving cancer-related education and support from their healthcare team. In addition, both men and women diagnosed with a low risk thyroid cancer are willing to follow with active surveillance rather than moving to immediate surgery.
— Debbie Chen, MD
ATA RESOURCES
Thyroid Cancer (Papillary and Follicular): https://www.thyroid.org/thyroid-cancer/
Thyroid Surgery: https://www.thyroid.org/thyroid-surgery/
ABBREVIATIONS & DEFINITIONS
Papillary thyroid cancer: the most common type of thyroid cancer. There are 4 variants of papillary thyroid cancer: classic, follicular, tall-cell and noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP).
Thyroidectomy: surgery to remove the entire thyroid gland. When the entire thyroid is removed it is termed a total thyroidectomy. When less is removed, such as in removal of a lobe, it is termed a partial thyroidectomy.
Active surveillance: the practice of monitoring a small, low risk thyroid cancer with ultrasound rather than proceeding with immediate surgery.
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