Thyroid Cancer ~ Please Read

[gpurtz]

My wife has thyroid cancer. This was just posted by a female member of a listserv to which I subscribe. Please read it.

Subject: Thyroid Cancer warning

On Wednesday, Dr. Oz had a show on the fastest growing cancer in women,
thyroid cancer. It was a very interesting program and he mentioned that the
increase could possibly be related to the use of dental x-rays and
mammograms. He demonstrated that on the apron the dentist puts on you for
your dental x-rays there is a little flap that can be lifted up and wrapped
around your neck. Many dentists don't bother to use it. Also, there is
something called a "thyroid guard" for use during mammograms. By
coincidence, I had my yearly mammogram yesterday. I felt a little silly, but
I asked about the guard and sure enough, the technician had one in a drawer.
I asked why it wasn't routinely used. Answer: "I don't know. You have to ask
for it." Well, if I hadn't seen the show, how would I have known to ask? We
need to pass this on to our daughters, nieces, mothers and all our female
friends and husbands tell your wives !! I just did, now you send it on to
your list. Someone was nice enough to forward this to me. I hope you pass
this on to your friends and family.

 

[rapmarks]

too late for me. 5 people in my subdivision had thyroid cancer this spring and summer. As i previously had breast cancer, I have had a tremendous amount of xrays, never was offered or aware of a thyroid guard. Had the thyroid out this summer, cancer on both sides.

 

[Timeshare Von]

Thanks for this bit of info. I will be having my mammo later this month and will definitely inquire.

 

[Laurie]

more complicated than that

http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/thyroidguard.asp

According to this, important for dental xrays, maybe not best idea for mammos. Maybe wise to decline the every-2-year dental xrays they do now, just cuz (at least mine does). So good to ask questions and discuss.

 

[BevL]

I have my dentist and their staff "trained" to not routinely do x-rays. They want to do them every year when I come in. I've not had any work done on my teeth other than cleaning in 10 years. So now I just "suggest" that once the dentist examines my teeth, if there's something that needs to be x-rayed, we can discuss it then. It's marked in my chart and a polite reminder is all that's needed. I've only had x-rays once in the last six or seven years.

I also make sure it's noted when I settle up my bill.

 

[glypnirsgirl]

I have had 2 friends that have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer in the last year. I am glad to know this information --- thanks for sharing.

I will definitely be asking for the additional protection.

After the nuclear release in Japan, I began taking iodine (I had read that iodine helped protect your thyroid) because I anticipated a trip there, I felt so much better after adding iodine to the supplements that I take that I have continued to take them.

elaine

 

[dmharris]

I have my dentist and their staff "trained" to not routinely do x-rays. They want to do them every year when I come in. I've not had any work done on my teeth other than cleaning in 10 years. So now I just "suggest" that once the dentist examines my teeth, if there's something that needs to be x-rayed, we can discuss it then. It's marked in my chart and a polite reminder is all that's needed. I've only had x-rays once in the last six or seven years.

I also make sure it's noted when I settle up my bill.

I appreciate you posting this as I've never believed as an adult with most of my back teeth already filled that xrays were necessary.

 

[dmharris]

My wife has thyroid cancer. This was just posted by a female member of a listserv to which I subscribe. Please read it.

Subject: Thyroid Cancer warning

On Wednesday, Dr. Oz had a show on the fastest growing cancer in women,
thyroid cancer. It was a very interesting program and he mentioned that the
increase could possibly be related to the use of dental x-rays and
mammograms. He demonstrated that on the apron the dentist puts on you for
your dental x-rays there is a little flap that can be lifted up and wrapped
around your neck. Many dentists don't bother to use it. Also, there is
something called a "thyroid guard" for use during mammograms. By
coincidence, I had my yearly mammogram yesterday. I felt a little silly, but
I asked about the guard and sure enough, the technician had one in a drawer.
I asked why it wasn't routinely used. Answer: "I don't know. You have to ask
for it." Well, if I hadn't seen the show, how would I have known to ask? We
need to pass this on to our daughters, nieces, mothers and all our female
friends and husbands tell your wives !! I just did, now you send it on to
your list. Someone was nice enough to forward this to me. I hope you pass
this on to your friends and family.

I am on thyroid for hypo(low) thyroidism as is my 26 year old daughter. Thank you for posting this. I'm sending this and the dental advice noted to my network.

 

[Zac495]

Thank you so much for sharing.

 

[MuranoJo]

I have my dentist and their staff "trained" to not routinely do x-rays. They want to do them every year when I come in. I've not had any work done on my teeth other than cleaning in 10 years. So now I just "suggest" that once the dentist examines my teeth, if there's something that needs to be x-rayed, we can discuss it then. It's marked in my chart and a polite reminder is all that's needed. I've only had x-rays once in the last six or seven years.

I also make sure it's noted when I settle up my bill.

I also wondered about this. I have been really lucky with my teeth and take good care of them, only a couple of fillings and they're in great shape along with my gums. (They don't make much money from my visits.) Some time ago, they had my x-ray schedule set for once very 2 years, but I've noticed the last 2 years it's once a year.

Next time in, I'll suggest we back off. And I like the dentist, so I don't believe he's trying to scam me. But patients need to be involved in these decisions and sometimes it's good to question things.

 

[AKE]

I appreciate you posting this as I've never believed as an adult with most of my back teeth already filled that xrays were necessary.

Decay can start underneath a filling (all it takes is a small crack between the tooth and the filling) and if it is not caught then the tooth may either need a root canal or removal altogether. The only way to see this is via an xray. Similarly, even a tooth which has had a root canal and is covered by a crown can have decay start under the crown requiring a new crown and possibly a redoing of the root canal. The only way that this can be caught in time is via an xray. I speak from first hand experience for both scenarios. Also decay can spread very fast so xrays are required on a regular (whatever interval one picks) basis as long as you have any natural teeth or even just roots with crowns on top.