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ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. held its 6th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Conference in Houston, Texas on October 24-26, 2003, bringing together more than 330 participants from 32 states, 2 Canadian provinces, and the United Kingdom.

Attendees included survivors of every type of thyroid cancer (papillary, follicular, medullary, anaplastic, and variants), from those newly diagnosed and awaiting surgery to survivors of more than 30 years, as well as caregivers and friends. Participants ranged in age from children under age 10 to seniors.

The 19 physician speakers included specialists in endocrinology, surgery, pathology, nuclear medicine, and medical oncology from M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Washington University School of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati Medical School, and additional centers.

Endocrinologists speaking included Douglas Ball, M.D., James A. Fagin, M.D., Robert F. Gagel, M.D., Carlos R. Hamilton, Jr., M.D., Ana O. Hoff, M.D., Sheldon Rubenfeld, M.D., Nicholas J. Sarlis, M.D., Ph.D., Steven I. Sherman, M.D., and Steven G. Waguespack, M.D. Physician speakers also included specialists in surgery, pathology, nuclear medicine, and medical oncology. Dr. Rubenfeld donated copies of the second edition of his book Could It Be My Thyroid to each conference attendee as well as to ThyCa’s volunteer support group facilitators unable to attend.

Facilitators of the more than 90 sessions over the three days also included research nurses, a pharmacist, mental health professionals, a chaplain, an attorney specializing in employment and workplace issues, specialists in complementary approaches and coping skills for well-being, and many long-term survivors as well as caregivers.

Next year’s 7th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference will be held in Chicago, Illinois at the Hyatt Deerfield Hotel, on October 22-24, 2004. ThyCa invites thyroid cancer survivors, families, and friends to tell their friends and relatives about ThyCa’s free year-round support services and publications, including its award-winning educational web site, as well as about next year's conference and free spring workshops.

Information about thyroid cancer care and research and about ThyCa's free services, publications, and special events is available on the ThyCa web site, by writing to P.O. Box 1545, New York, NY 10159-1545, by calling toll free 1-877-588-7904, or by e-mailing.