Thyroid Cancer: Statistics

What are statistics?

Some people use numbers called statistics to figure out their chances of getting cancer. Or they use them to try to figure out their chance of being cured. Because no 2 people are alike, statistics can’t be used to predict what will happen to one person. The statistics below describe large groups of people. They do not take into account a person's own risk factors, such as family history, behaviors, or cancer screenings. If you have questions, talk with your healthcare provider.

What are the statistics for thyroid cancer?

• Doctors will diagnose about 53,990 new cases of thyroid cancer in 2018.

• Thyroid cancer occurs much more often in women than in men.

• Thyroid cancer rates have risen sharply in recent years. This appears to be related to diagnostic tests with increased sensitivity to detect the cancer.

• About 1,100 women and 960 men will die of thyroid cancer in 2018.

• About 2% of cases of thyroid cancer occur in children or adolescents.

Source: American Cancer Society