The rising global burden of thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer cases have risen around the world in the past two decades, according to a new study. Researchers examined global health data between 1990-2017, and found that the number of cases of thyroid cancer worldwide increased by nearly 170%, from around 95,000 in 1990 to more than 255,000 in 2017. Deaths from the disease increased 87%. Almost half the cases were in South and East Asia, the analysis found, and more than 70% of cases and 58% of deaths were in women. Women were also more likely to get thyroid cancer at a younger age than men, although most deaths from the disease across both groups occurred among those aged 70 years and older.