The Beijing Municipal Health Bureau recently released data showing that in the 10 years from 2000 to 2010, the first growth rate was thyroid cancer, which increased by 223.75 percent. The reporter learned from the hospitals in Guangzhou that the incidence of thyroid cancer is also on a significant rise. Professionals suggest that because of the special location of the thyroid gland, only a very small number of abnormalities can be felt by hand, so it is best to add the ultrasound of the thyroid gland to the annual physical examination. The thyroid gland disease is more common in women than in men, and because of the “incident in Wuhan Union Hospital in which several female doctors from the obstetrics and gynecology department were found to have thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer”, Ms. Wang’s unit added a thyroid ultrasound program for the first time this year for workers over 40 years old. Several female workers were found to have thyroid nodules, and two of them were highly suspected to be malignant. Why is thyroid disease “more common in women than men”? The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck, below the laryngeal nodes and on both sides of the trachea, and is an important endocrine organ of the human body, undertaking the functions of iodine intake and storage, synthesis and secretion of thyroxine, while female hormones, including estrogen and progesterone, are likely to be involved in the occurrence and development of goiter. In addition, mental factors have a greater impact on the endocrine organs, and many women are sentimental, which is one of the reasons why women have a higher incidence than men. Therefore, maintaining optimism and proper stress reduction can help prevent thyroid nodules or can slow down the progress of the disease. There is also a view in the medical field that coastal cities do not lack iodine in their diet due to frequent consumption of seafood, and that eating iodized salt again will cause excessive iodine intake, which will also affect the normal physiological function of the thyroid gland and increase the risk of thyroid disease. Thyroid nodules can be precancerous. Many people come to the clinic with “thyroid nodules” found during a physical examination. Most thyroid nodules are “nodular goiter” and some are “thyroid tumors”, some of which can become malignant, or thyroid cancer. Therefore, when a thyroid nodule is found, it should be taken seriously and evaluated by a specialist. If it is less than 2cm, surgery can be postponed and reviewed regularly. However, surgery must be considered if the nodule is more than 2cm on ultrasound; although the nodule is small, its compression of trachea, nerves, etc.; retrosternal goiter; secondary hyperthyroidism; or suspected malignant possibility. In outpatient clinics, patients often ask: Why is my thyroid nodule so large that I don’t even notice it? A nodular goiter usually does not show functional changes and the patient’s basal metabolic rate is normal, so it is difficult to notice discomfort unless it is pressing on the nerves or trachea, and the patient may have symptoms. It is recommended to add ultrasound of the thyroid gland to the physical examination Because nodular goiter is difficult to feel by hand, 80% of thyroid nodules are detected during a physical examination. It is advisable for adults (especially adult women) to add a thyroid ultrasound to their annual physical exam, while color ultrasound is far more accurate than black-and-white ultrasound in estimating the location, size and nature of thyroid nodules, at a cost of more than$100. Physiological goiter may occur during puberty and lactation Women’s increased need for thyroxine during puberty and lactation can cause a relative lack of iodine in the body, leading to goiter, although this goiter is physiological and nothing to worry about. Most women will gradually heal on their own after these two special physiological periods, when endocrine balance is regained. In severe cases, iodine intake should be increased in the diet or thyroxine tablets can be taken under the guidance of a doctor to relieve the symptoms.