Thyroid Ultrasound Screening Program

Thyroid Cancer is the most quickly increasing cancer diagnosis in the United States and it affects women nearly three times as often as men. Despite this, screening for thyroid cancer is not performed anywhere in the world. Breast cancer screening, through mammography, has been routine for decades but, unfortunately, screening for thyroid cancer in the general population does not occur. The dramatic findings in these women aged 30 to 65 suggest that thyroid cancer screening, in select populations, should be done.

The Hospital for Endocrine Surgery's thyroid surgeons have teamed up with partners throughout the community to offer free thyroid screenings , with events including a wellness retreat for women executives, a women's health expo, expos at local schools, local office building events and more. Abnormal findings requiring further evaluation have appeared in up to half of participants, with surgery for possible thyroid cancer being recommended in up to 12% of participants. These patients would've otherwise had no idea they had an issue with their thyroid, let alone thyroid cancer.

Senior thyroid surgeon Dr. Rashmi Roy leads the thyroid screening program and personally reviewed each patient's scans, connecting with those who had significant or abnormal findings to discuss the specifics of their case and suggest next steps. "These women had no previous history of thyroid masses, nodules, goiters or cancer," says Dr Roy. "So, this is a true screening program. The results have ignited a passion in me to bring this program to more citizens throughout the community and beyond. I'm currently working on research that will help make this the standard."

The ultrasound that participants are getting during their thyroid screening isn't just any ultrasound — it's performed by the most experienced team in the world, and using the top technology available. In fact, our ultrasound machines can detect up to 1 mm in depth, which is about five times more detailed than a typical ultrasound machine. Dr. Roy runs the screening program in tandem with Darya, director of thyroid ultrasound screenings at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery and one of the most experienced thyroid ultrasound technicians in the world.

"The good news is that we can identify cancers very early with this type of screening program which makes them nearly 100% curable," says Dr Gary Clayman, founder of the Clayman Thyroid Center at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery.

...but it's not just thyroid cancer

Dr. Roy has found and helped treat various thyroid abonormalities throughout her screening program, including thyroid nodules, thyroid goiters, Hashimoto's disease, Grave's disease and all types of thyroid cancer. All of these thyroid issues can have huge impacts on your quality of life, and as is true with all diseases and cancers, early detection is key.

Any thyroid disorder that requires surgery can be treated effectively at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery. The world's highest volume thyroid surgeons work together under one roof at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery. High volume thyroid surgeons have demonstarted higher cure rates and lower complication rates by far compared to occassional thyroid surgeons.

Do your research and be your own best advocate.