Agonising symptoms of 'silent killer' affecting hundreds of people in Ireland every year

Thyroid cancer impacts over 300 individuals in Ireland annually, as per the Irish Cancer Society. The disease often takes a considerable amount of time to diagnose due to its symptoms overlapping with other illnesses and conditions.

A recent study conducted by the University of Aberdeen, in collaboration with several prominent thyroid charities, discovered that it takes an average of 4.5 years for a thyroid condition to be diagnosed. This research, which examined the experiences of nearly 1,200 patients, found that in almost two-thirds of cases, multiple appointments and a worsening of symptoms were necessary before a diagnosis was made.

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The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck, just in front of the windpipe. Thyroid cancer is more prevalent amongst women than men and is most common in adults over the age of 40.

The disease can be treated with surgery, radioactive iodine therapy and thyroid hormone therapy. According to the Irish Cancer Society, thyroid cancer occurs when "happens when cells in your thyroid change and start to grow in an abnormal way. A group of these cancer cells can form a tumour. Thyroid cancer can affect how your thyroid works and cause symptoms."

It's important to note that all these symptoms can be caused by conditions other than cancer and most lumps in the front of the neck are not cancerous, reports the Irish Mirror.

However, it's still crucial to visit your GP and get any unusual changes checked out.

The signs of an underactive thyroid can often mimic those of other health conditions and they typically develop gradually, meaning you might not spot them for a long time. If you're experiencing symptoms such as these, it's important to have a chat with your GP and request a test for an underactive thyroid.

The only surefire way to determine if you're dealing with a thyroid issue is through a thyroid function test, which involves analysing a blood sample to check your hormone levels.