yroid nodules are often a problem affecting women above the age of 40 years and especially women. Endocrine Surgery specialist Prof. Dr. Erhan Ayşan pointed out that both thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer have been seen at a much younger age in recent years. Moreover, the rate of cancer of nodules in young people is higher than in adults, he said.

It is observed that the incidence of thyroid nodules, which is a very common problem in terms of the rate of occurrence in society, has increased in the age range of 18-35 in recent years. Endocrine surgeon Prof. Dr. Erhan Ayşan, who said that the same change was observed not only in nodules but also in thyroid cancer, said that thyroid nodules were less common in the 20s and thyroid cancer was extremely rare. Prof. Dr. Erhan Ayşan, Endocrine Surgery Specialist at Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital, stated that these rates have increased, and the cause of this situation is not known clearly: "The widespread use of ultrasonography may have increased the number of early diagnoses. However, even more, important and frightening is the negative effects of environmental factors such as radiation, nutrition, and stress on the thyroid gland. These factors are thought to have significant effects on the increase in the frequency of thyroid nodules and cancer." 

Impact of Environmental Factors on Nodule Development is Major

Stating that the presence of thyroid cancer in the family is the most important risk factor in the development of nodules in the young group with radiation to the head and neck region, Prof. Ayşan said that smoking, carcinogenic foods, and stress are also important factors. Having a nodule in the family, even if there is no nodule, even if there is any thyroid disease such as Hashimoto's, poses a risk for a thyroid nodule and cancer in young people.

Increased Risk of Cancer in Nodules in the Young Group

Stating the fact that the risk of cancer of nodules in the young age group was higher compared with the adult age group was another source of concern, Prof. Dr. Erhan Ayşan continued as follows: "While approximately 5% of the nodules detected in an adult human are cancer, this rate doubles in the young age group. Moreover, as age decreases, the risk of cancer increases. For example, in a 20-year-old person, the risk of cancer of a nodule with the same characteristics is higher than in a 30-year-old person."

Young Men Are Unluckier!

Stating that there is a difference between women and men in of nodule incidence, Prof. Dr. Erhan Ayşan said, "Women are unfortunately an unlucky group in this regard! The incidence of thyroid nodules in women is 3 times higher than in men. However, there is also an unpleasant statistic for men. In men, the risk of cancer of the nodules is twice higher as in women. In other words, thyroid nodules are more common in young women but become less cancerous. It is less common in men, but the risk of cancer is higher."

Nodules Progressing Sneakily

Emphasizing that both nodules and thyroid cancer are very insidious diseases and give almost no symptoms, Prof. Dr. Erhan Ayşan said that this prevented patients from noticing the situation early. Prof. Ayşan said, "We even see cases where the diameter of the nodule has reached 5 cm, but it does not give any findings and is diagnosed in an X-ray film taken by chance. The most common finding we see in patients is a slight swelling in the neck."

For this reason, stating that screening will be very valuable for nodules seen in the young age group, Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital, Endocrine Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Erhan Ayşan continued as follows: "Thyroid ultrasound is 100 percent effective in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules and 35-40 percent effective in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer. Therefore, only a thyroid ultrasound will be sufficient in such a screening program. However, it is beneficial for young people with a family history of thyroid disease who notice swelling in their neck to apply to a health institution and have a thyroid ultrasound without delay."

Cancer Should Be Excluded With Differential Diagnosis First

Indicating that it is necessary to distinguish whether there is cancer when nodules are seen in young patients, Prof. Dr. Erhan Ayşan provided the following information about the follow-up and treatment process:
"When we endocrine specialists see a nodule in a young patient, we first need to distinguish whether it is cancer or not. Sometimes we can make this distinction only with ultrasound, and sometimes a needle biopsy is required. If there is a high risk of cancer or if a biopsy has definitively diagnosed cancer, surgery is absolutely necessary. If we have confirmed that there is no cancer with ultrasound or biopsy in our patients who have nodules at a young age, we follow these patients and follow them with ultrasound at 3 or 6-month intervals. Conditions such as growth in the nodule, new nodule formation, and changes in nodule appearance are developments we do not want. Be prepared for this at any time. Finally, I would like to state that thyroid cancer is not deadly in genes as in adults. As long as it is not too late to make a diagnosis. This is a medical condition that can be completely treated with the right surgery on time."

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