Stay Healthy ~ Thyroid Cancer: Why Is It on the Rise? Could it dental x-rays be the culprit?

New diagnoses have shot up over the past decade. Here’s what you need to know.
While new cases of some cancers— including breast, lung, and prostate— are leveling off, cancer of the thyroid (an endocrine gland in the neck) is spiking; diagnoses rose a whopping 173 percent between 2002 and 2012, making thyroid cancer one of the fastest-growing types in the U.S.

“Better screening and detection may explain part of the increase,” says Robert Smallridge, M.D., chairman of the division of endocrinology at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla. “Still, research suggests other factors must be at play.” One of the few known causes of thyroid cancer is radiation, and some experts believe excess exposure may be behind the increase. Smallridge is less certain. “The most common radiation sources, such as dental X-rays and airport security scanners, provide extremely low doses,” he says. For its part, the American Thyroid Association says it does not believe that routine dental X-rays, for example, lead to thyroid cancer. Still, a large cumulative exposure over a lifetime may raise your risk. Smallridge recommends always asking your doctor whether an X-ray or a CT scan is truly necessary. He also advises wearing a thyroid collar (a small lead bib that deflects radiation) before dental X-rays. The good news: Thyroid cancer is highly curable and still rare—less than 1 percent of Americans will be diagnosed in their lifetime. To further lower your odds, maintain a healthy weight and load up on vegetables.

reference: Grand Rapids Parade ~ Camille Noe Pagán

What is our office doing to keep you healthy while maintaining the highest level of dental care and diagnosis?

Our office offers digital dental x-rays, commonly called dental films. Digital films are better for you, the patient, because there is 90% less radiation than traditional films and they are better for explaining our findings because you can view the films along with us on the computer monitor. Digital films are also better for the environment, because no harsh chemicals are needed to process this type of film.

When dental films are needed a lead apron with a thyroid collar is used to further reduce any radiation exposure from occurring.

If you ever have a question about the need for a dental film, or your health in general, ask us. This is why we are here. Our goal is to serve you to the best of our ability.

For more information visit our website.