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Brian Wickman, a survivor of thyroid cancer and sarcoma Presented at the 2007 Annual Cancer Survivorship Celebration
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For most people with thyroid cancer, life after treatment will return to normal. If only part of the thyroid was surgically removed, no further treatment is usually necessary. If the entire thyroid was removed, patients will need to take daily thyroid hormone pills to replace the hormones the thyroid formerly produced.
Follow-up Care
Even after you are finished with treatment, it is very important to schedule follow-up exams and tests. Your doctor may want to monitor your health from time to time for the rest of your life to make sure the cancer has not returned. Although it is rare, some patients' thyroid cancer can come back ten or 20 years later.
You may have one or more of the following tests as part of your follow-up care:
- Blood tests to determine levels of thyroid hormone and TSH
- Blood tests for thyroglobulin, a protein produced by thyroid cells that may indicate recurrent thyroid cancer
- Ultrasound to see if the thyroid cancer has returned
- Radioactive iodine scan or PET scan
Light of Life Foundation
The Light of Life Foundation was founded in 1997 by Joan Shey, a survivor of thyroid cancer. The non-profit organization is dedicated to the support and education of thyroid cancer patients, their families, the medical community and the general public. For more information on the Light of Life Foundation, visit their Web site at www.checkyourneck.com.
Other Aspects of Survivorship
To help patients manage some of the other issues that may come up in survivorship, Memorial Sloan-Kettering offers a wide range of programs for cancer survivors, including the following:
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Memorial Sloan-Kettering Counseling Center
Our Counseling Center offers individual and family counseling sessions to help cancer survivors and their families address the problems that they may encounter in adjusting to life after treatment.
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Living Beyond Cancer
People facing the challenges of cancer survivorship can access a variety of support services through the Living Beyond Cancer section of our Web site. This section includes information about professionally led support groups and counseling; survivorship clinics to manage late effects of cancer and treatment; recommendations about screening and healthy living; and specialized services to address sexual and reproductive health. We also offer a range of resources to help survivors, families, and friends better understand the complex emotional and social issues following treatment.
Additional services are offered through our Post-Treatment Resource Program, which provides a full range of educational support services, including individual and family counseling, periodic lectures or workshops to provide medical updates, and practical guidance on employment and insurance issues.
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Sexual Health
Sexuality can be affected by cancer and its treatment. Memorial Sloan-Kettering has many physicians, nurses, social workers, and psychologists who are familiar with sexual health problems as they relate to cancer treatment and can help you address your concerns. For more information, visit Sexual Health.
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Integrative Medicine Service
Our Integrative Medicine Service is designed to enhance quality of life through healing regimens that address the body, mind, and spirit. Beneficial complementary therapies include various types of massage, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, meditation, visualization and other mind-body therapies, music therapy, and nutritional counseling, as well as classes such as yoga, t'ai chi, and chair aerobics.
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Help for the Older Cancer Patient
A diagnosis of cancer is difficult at any age, but older patients face unique challenges. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is committed to providing cancer patients aged 65 and older with the treatment, facilities, and support they need.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering offers the services of a multidisciplinary geriatric team, which includes physicians, clinical nurse specialists, social workers, nutritionists, and psychiatrists, as well as members of the Pain and Palliative Care Department and the Integrative Medicine Service. The programs and care the team provides focus on the needs of elderly cancer patients.
For more information about our services for older patients as well as for their family and friends, visit the Help for the Older Patient section of our Web site.
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Screening & Wellness
Memorial Sloan-Kettering provides numerous prevention, screening, and wellness services. Information about these services; up-to-date information on cancer screening tests and guidelines; step-by-step instructions for a variety of self-exams; guidance on how to stop smoking; and how to follow a healthy diet can be found on our Web site in our Prevention & Screening section.
