Whatever you are going through, it is unique and valid to you!

Alex’s thyroid cancer was discovered by chance following investigations on some swollen lymph nodes. This shock discovery has left him with emotional trauma after his successful treatment for papillary thyroid cancer. Alex has shared his story to help validate everyone’s individual experiences.

What type of thyroid cancer were you diagnosed with?

On 22 September 2023, just two days after my 29th birthday, I was diagnosed with stage 2* papillary thyroid cancer.

How was it diagnosed?

At first, I discovered a couple of lumps on my neck. Following both an ultrasound** and biopsy***, the two lumps on my neck were swollen lymph nodes that were thankfully benign. However, an unrelated cancerous tumour was accidentally discovered**** in my thyroid gland, thus leading to my cancer diagnosis.

What symptoms did it cause, if any?

 Before the diagnosis, excluding the two lumps on my neck, I experienced no noticeable symptoms whatsoever related to my cancer. My partner at the time, who is a nurse, was the one who advised me to have an ultrasound and biopsy.

What did your treatment involve?

My treatment involved a total thyroidectomy, radioiodine treatment and lifelong thyroid hormone replacement (levothyroxine).

What have you found the hardest part of your journey so far?

Initially, I struggled with hypothyroidism as my TSH blood levels were erratic and elevated. My consultant had to increase my dose of levothyroxine a few times to stabilise my condition. Though it took roughly a year to stabilise, I am now managing well on my current dosage. My physical health is slowly improving, though my hardest challenge continues to be the emotional trauma triggered by the diagnosis itself and the treatment side effects.

What would you say to anyone on their thyroid journey?

My journey has left me with grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder. In spite of this, I have been able to obtain support from charities, my medical team, and people close to me. The most important thing that I can say to anyone on their thyroid journey is that whatever you are going through, it is unique and valid to you!

*According to Macmillan Cancer Support Stage 2 papillary thyroid cancer in someone under 55, like Alex, indicates that ‘the tumour is any size and the cancer may or may not have spread to nearby lymph nodes. It has spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones or lungs.

In someone over 55, stage 2 papillary thyroid cancer indicates that ‘The tumour is 4cm or less, it may have spread to the lymph nodes in the neck or upper chest but has not spread to other parts of the body.

‘Or the tumour is more than 4cm and not grown outside the thyroid gland. It may or may not have spread to nearby lymph nodes, but it has not spread to other parts of the body.

‘Or a tumour of any size, that has spread to nearby muscles in the neck. It may or may not have spread to nearby lymph nodes, but it has not spread to the rest of the body.’

Please see Macmillan Cancer Support for full details on thyroid cancer staging.

**An ultrasound scan is a painless procedure which uses sound waves to examine the structure and size of the thyroid gland. It can provide important information about the likelihood of the nodule (lump) being benign (not cancer) or a cancer.

***A biopsy is sometimes known as Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC). A thin needle is used to remove some of the cells from a thyroid nodule. These cells are then examined under a microscope to help establish whether the nodule is a cancer or not. A biopsy is often performed either to confirm the findings of an ultrasound or to provide doctors with more detailed information.  

****Some thyroid nodules are discovered ‘incidentally’ (by chance) on ultrasound when investigating for other things. Around 95% of nodules will be benign.

Medical advisor comment

We are sorry to hear that Alex has struggled so much psychologically following his diagnosis and treatment for thyroid cancer.  Although the outlook for patients with papillary thyroid cancer is generally good, any cancer diagnosis can be life-changing. Discovering the cancer by chance on an ultrasound can, understandably, trigger emotional trauma in some people. It is reassuring to read that Alex has a support network around him, and we wish him well with this continued recovery. We would encourage anyone who may also be struggling to reach out to their healthcare team, to the BTF and other support organisations in the ways shown below.

More information and support

BTF thyroid cancer resources

Macmillan Cancer Support

Cancer Research UK – thyroid cancer statistics