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Thyroid cancer starts when fluid-filled lumps called nodules develop on the gland. Usually, nodules are benign and cause no symptoms, but a small number become malignant. Thyroid can- cer mainly hits younger women The good news, of sorts, is prognosis from this type of cancer is usually amellent. Survival rates are better than 90 per cent. Although the prognosis for the most common kind of thyroid cancer, called papillary, remains verygoodJessoommontypesof thediseasemnbemoredanger- The good news, of sorts, is prognosisfromthistypeofcancer isuwallyemellenLSurvivalrates arebettertlanOperoent. Although the prognosis for the most common kind of thyroid cancer, called papillary, remains verygoodlessoommontypesof mediseasecanbemoredanger- ODS. But rates ofthediseasehave risenoverthepasthyeamsaid “But it might be something in the environment we’re exposed to," she noted. Unlike other cancers such as that of the breast, thyroid can- cer keeps a low profile among the public. That’s likely because although incidence of the dis- ease is on the rise. thyroid cancer makesuponlytwopercent ofall cancers, Ms Banach said. Andwith suchahighcurerate, “In my case, it was pretty advanced.”_ Ms Kasakevich said. Four weeks later, she had sur- gery to remove her thyroid. Ms Kasakevich underwent tests before being referred to a doctor at 'Ibronto’s Princess Mar- garet Hospital. She was told she had thyroid cancer and it had spread to her lymph nodes. The'l‘homhill resident, now45, had kidney stones and her doctor wanted to perform an uhsound. As part of the checkup, the doctor also hadan ultrasound perfonned on Ms Kasakevich’s neck. That test discovered problems with her thyroid.aglandattheln880fthe neck that controls several funcâ€" tions, including how quickly the bodybums energy, makes protein and controls sensitivity to certain hormones [amKasakevichwasshocked bydwmncerdiagnosisdntcame during a routine checkup four BY MICHAEL POWER Sta}?r Writer some forms can be deadly Thyroid cancer rate high, But not much is known about why people get thyroid cancer. Ms Banach said. The only factor pmven to lead to the condition is radiation exposme. Rita Banach, president of the Canadian Thyroid Cancer Sup- port Group, called Thry'vors Thy- roid cancer rates have risen 10 per cent over the past decade, Ms Banach said. “It’s very statistically significant in terms of other cancers," she LANA W": Thomhill resi- dent was diagnosed with thyroid cancer four years ago. QED LIVING lt’s important, she said. to get the right information from your doctor while undergoing treatâ€" ment. And more awareness is necessary so women continue to get checked regularly for the dis- “I’m still looking for the right dosage.” Ms Kasakevidl, amount of those hormones isn’t fiound. a patiem can expe- rience deptesshn. Dr. Irish said. Most patients also need radio- active iodine tIeatment, which means stopping replacement hormones, he said. That am also leadtodepuessbn rest of their lives after having the If the fight Patients must take thyroid replacement hormones for the “It’s a good question that a lot of people are trying to under- stand." said Dr. Irish of the grow- Thymid camef rates in other developed was such as the Unit- ed. States and Europe have also suchasCTscansMRIandultm- sound have helpedfindthe dis- The higher incidence of the disease is likely tied to better screening, said Jonathan In'sh, pmncialheadofsurgicaloncol- ogybrCamerCateOntario and ctfiefofsurgkmloncologyatPrin- thyroid cancer might not get the attention it deserves. she noted -vâ€" '7' VI. (746% Mr. Kilbertus is director of commuâ€" nications for Smart Systems For Health Agency, the organization that provides the system. The Community Care Access Centre and York Region’s Community Home Assistance 'Ib Seniors have begun using the electronic system to share informa- A new electronic system now in use by organizations in York Region will make sharing information much more seamless. Paul Kilbertus said. Manhuan mmm Referring patients and seniors to services in the community has never been easier. LOSE WEIGHT AND FEEL GREAT FOR SUMMER!A . WSsmâ€"WIM April 17. mm the new system, all the infor- mation gets transferred electronically. Doing so eliminates chances a phone number or a person's information will go missing or a patient won’t get the needed support, Mr. Kilbertus said. A patient released from hospital, for example. who needs more care in the community would have had their information faxed or sent by courier to the Community Care Access Centre, Mr. Kilbertus said. The centre might then share the information with the seniors' group to find the best com- munity service to help that person, whether physiotherapy, in-home care or Meals On Wheels. don and refer residents to the services they need, Mr. Kilbertus said mmiglia...’ A”