Hi. I've had thyroid cancer and please try not to worry. Thyroid cancer is really not what you are probably imagining when you hear the word "cancer." The odds are it's just going to be a matter of removing your thyroid and that will really be that. Well, you then have to take thyroid medication daily for the rest of your life but, for me, that has just been a matter of taking a couple of tablets each morning and getting on with my day.

If the 39 in your username refers to your age, I can add to the reassurance by saying thyroid cancer is rarely serious in younger people. For people under about 50, the two most common forms don't even have a stage 3 or 4. They are almost all stage 1, unless it has spread outside the neck (which only happens in 1%-4% of cases) and even then, it's only stage 2. The survival rate for the most common form among younger people is something like 99.5%. 

I can give you an overview of my experience. I was diagnosed in November 2019, had my thyroid and about 57 lymph nodes removed early in January 2020, was in hospital for a week, then was back at work in early February and that was basically that. I did have to have radioiodine treatment the following May, because of the spread to the lymph nodes and because the cancer was 6.7cm (I think most are under 1cm or 2cm, for comparison's sake), but that is really just swallowing a capsule. It's annoying, as you have to be in isolation for a while after it and so on, but it doesn't hurt or make you sick or anything.

They very rarely use chemotherapy or radiotherapy for thyroid cancer, so it really is just an operation. To be honest, I doubt my experience was any worse than say having my appendix removed. I've joked that the most harm thyroid cancer does you is the shock you get when you hear them telling you you have cancer.

Feel free to message me if you want to talk about things.

Hi there I wrote a reply not sure if it posted or not thank tog so much for taking the time to respond as I'm been a anxious mess from Monday fearing the worst. I felt like I wasn't expecting anything at the scan( didn't think they would know to tell me anything )  and was stunned I called the consultant today as I was so anxious and his sectary said yes they are back he's been on call and she will highlight they are back do you know if it's usually a call or letter ? Thank you so much for helping put me at ease  I was so stunned I didn't ask anything and left in a state , and yes I'm 39 

I don't know. I'm in Ireland for one thing, with a very different healthcare system and it was pre-covid. When I had my biopsy, they gave me an appointment a week later to call back for the results. I was honestly expecting them to say it was benign - they were very much "oh, we have to check for cancer, but most nodules are benign" - so yeah, it was a shock.

I was 39 when I was diagnosed too.

Thank you so much I'm in scotland hoping to hear soon but I feel much more positive after chatting with you feel like tommorow is going to be a better day for me I really have been walking about in my own we bubble don't think I was understanding or taking anything in on Monday it's all been pretty quick turn around the fact that my results are with them already praying for even a we call tommorow to verify that's what it is as I had no idea to even think of that only went cause I have a persistent cough and a lump on my lymph node which is hard and wouldn't disappear didn't even cross my mind anything about my thyroid and Monday was the first anyone has even mentioned that to me 

I am going through exactly same thing at the moment.I was referered by my dentist for a lump under my ear.On my first hospital consultation with maxiofacial I was immediately sent for a ultrasound.I did that and they found two lumps.I was told the one I was sent in for was more like calcified tendon but the other needed more tests.A week later I had ct and then another ultrasound with biopsy.I have been told its on my thyroid and he has seen alot of benign lumps in his time and mine isn't that.Then said to prepare myself for the worst and started talking about operations and treatments to me I was due to go back for my results but unfortunately I can't atm as we have a overseas holiday we have planned for over two years.The wait for results is going to kill me but trying to stay positive.

Im so sorry your also going through this it's the waiting that's the worse that was a week today I had biopsy but he told me more or less he's pretty certain at the scan it's thyroid cancer have spoken to some users on here who have put me at ease that it can be removed and replacement hormone tablets so please try not worry ( should take my own advice lol ) did they also tell you this at a scan ? I didn't think was possible for them to tell us this until biopsy was back. The worst bit is mines is back Thursday and I still haven't been contacted I was sick with anxiety today looking at my phone all day so decided to call the secretary today all day it went to voicemail so I'm guessing she's off today really hoped I would of heard today too but I'm going to get back on the phone tommorow again hope you have a lovely trip and manage to switch off keep me updated with everything 

Yea hun the guy who did the scan told me.In the space of 3 weeks had ct 2 ultrasounds and a biopsy.I would of put the holiday off but its trip of lifetime to florida for 3 weeks.The wait is gonna kill me for sure.On other hand im thinking would i rather know before we go? As be upset all holiday if its bad news.Did they not book u another appointment there to see a consultant? They sent me letter already which was for the 19th april to see my consultant for the results.I had to postpone it until the 13th may now I hope you find out news soon lovely

No nothing I left Monday in a state he said at scan I would hear within 2 weeks scan was at a completely diff hospital as was urgent and was first available. He said the whole left side of my neck was all swollen lymph nodes not just the big one I had been referred for but my right side was clear and then started talking about treatment and how it's very treatable etc I was just in shock when I think back I never asked anything ! But I called consultant Thursday so I know they are there but I'm not sure how I get them a call or a letter etc I'm going to try find out tommorow . Yes you deserve this holiday and please have a great time you can deal with this when you come back I have a holiday with my family and kids for June so I don't know how long these things take to get dealt with etc and if I will get away so enjoy every minute of this Holiday , please stay in touch about your progress ️

I will keep you updated hun.I don't fly until 13th next week.I hope all goes well I still be about if u need to vent.I know how stressful it is.Hope its good news for you

Thank you for news tommorow I think once I know for sure and plans etc I will be a lot less anxious and be able to get back to work x