Cyprus: Thyroid Cancer Rates Significantly Higher Than EU Average

The incidence of thyroid cancer in Cyprus is almost four times higher than the average for countries in the European Union, according to Dr. Stelios Ioannidou Kadi, Associate Professor of Endocrinology at the University of Nicosia Medical School.

Dr. Kadi also expressed concern that the incidence of thyroid cancer in children and adolescents in Cyprus is among the highest in the world. These findings have been the subject of discussion, but there is currently no data to indicate the etiology.

Known risk factors include a history of therapeutic radiation to the neck area in childhood, exposure to radioactive radiation, pre-existing thyroid disease, family history, age over 40, obesity, and iodine deficiency.

The thyroid gland is an important endocrine gland located in the neck area that produces hormones that regulate metabolism. Thyroid diseases include disorders of function (hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism) and morphology (nodules and thyroiditis).

Dr. Kadi stressed that thyroid cancer is highly treatable, making early diagnosis and treatment critical.

According to the Cyprus Cancer Registry, thyroid cancer is the second most common cancer in women and the sixth most common in men in Cyprus, mainly affecting people aged 35-59 years.