ThyCa NEWS NOTES - February 2008
02/2008In This Issue
- Thyroid Cancer Diagnoses Predicted To Set Another New Record in 2008
- New Local Support Groups Start Meeting
- Spanish Edition of Thyroid Cancer Reference Book Now Available
- Free Materials in Spanish
- Free Spring Workshops
- Free Packets for New Patients
- Why ThyCa
- Low-Iodine Recipe of the Month
- From the Mailbox
- Want To Help?
Thyroid Cancer Diagnoses Predicted To Set Another New Record in 2008
ThyCa Urges Early Detection Through Neck Checks
- Thyroid cancer, one of the few cancers that is increasing in incidence, is expected to reach a new record of 37,340 people newly diagnosed in the United States in 2008, reports ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association.
- This record total is more than 11 percent higher than last year’s record numbers, and about double the number from 10 years ago, according to information from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the American Cancer Society.
- Thyroid cancer is now the 6th most common cancer in women. About three times as many women as men get thyroid cancer. It has several types and variants. It affects people in all age groups, from young children through senior citizens.
- Thyroid cancer is usually treatable when found early.
- A total of 28,410 women and 8,930 men are expected to be diagnosed with thyroid cancer this year. The number of deaths is expected to increase by almost 4% over last year, to 1,590 in 2008.
- ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. urges everyone to learn about thyroid cancer and to ask for a neck check at each doctor's appointment.
- Help raise awareness for early detection. E-mail us at thyca@thyca.org to get free materials, or call 877-588-7904, or download free awareness flyers from our Raise Awareness page. • ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc. is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization of thyroid cancer survivors, family members, and health care professionals, dedicated to education, communication, support, awareness for early detection, and thyroid cancer research fundraising and research grants.
New Local Support Groups Start Meeting
Manasota/Sarasota, Florida
This group meets the second Saturday of each month from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at The Wellness Community, 3900 Clark Road, Building P3, Sarasota, Florida.. Their first meeting will be held on March 8, 2008. The volunteer facilitator and contact person is Shawna Machado (Manasota-FL@thyca.org) or call 941-587-3677).
Indianapolis, Indiana
This new group meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. starting March 26, 2008. Contact the volunteer facilitator, Michelle Irwin at Indianapolis-IN@thyca.org or 317-517-3997.
Wilmington, North Carolina
This group meets the first Tuesday of each month from Noon to 1 p.m., starting with the March 4, 2008 meeting at The American Cancer Society Building, Suite 111, 2202 Wrightsville Avenue, Wilmington, North Carolina. The volunteer facilitator and contact person is Virginia Cokor (Wilmington-NC@thyca.org or 910-270-5137).
Appleton/Fox Cities, Wisconsin
This new group meets on the second Tuesday of every month from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. starting March 11, 2008. Contact the volunteer facilitator, Tina Higgins at 920-687-1555 or Susan Yokers or 920-740-9795 or e-mail FoxCities-WI@thyca.org.
Fox Cities, Wisconsin meets on the second Tuesday of every month starting March 11.
Central Missouri
Sandy Triplett, (volunteer facilitator), formerly co-facilitator of the ThyCa St. Louis Support Group, offers support by phone and e-mail (573-345-0103 or Central-MO@thyca.org).
ThyCa welcomes these new support groups.
For details about the group nearest you, contact (toll-free) 1-877-588-7904.
Spanish Edition of Thyroid Cancer Reference Book Now Available
Just published in a Spanish edition with review by Spanish-speaking medical experts, is “Thyroid Cancer: A Guide for Patients” edited by thyroid cancer physician specialists Douglas Van Nostrand, M.D., and Leonard Wartofsky, M.D. and by thyroid cancer survivor Gary Bloom.
Numerous distinguished thyroid cancer experts wrote this in-depth reference book on thyroid cancer for patients and their caregivers. The book is available from ThyCa as well as in bookstores such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble. The proceeds from all book orders placed through ThyCa benefit our free support services, outreach and early detection programs, and thyroid cancer research grants.
Free Downloadable Materials in Spanish
Fact Sheets, Low-Iodine Recipes, and more
Call us toll-free at 1-877-588-7904
Free workshops to be held are:
- The Texas/Southwest Thyroid Cancer Survivor’s 2nd Annual Workshop
will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Dallas, Texas. - The Chicago/Midwest Thyroid Cancer Public Education Symposium
will be held in Chicago, Illinois, on Tuesday, April 22, 2008, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. - The Vermont/New England Thyroid Cancer Public Education Symposium
will be held in Stowe, Vermont, on Saturday, May 3, 2008 (times to be announced) in connection with the Stowe Weekend of Hope. - The Mid-Atlantic Thyroid Cancer Survivor’s 7th Annual Workshop
will be held in Falls Church, Virginia (near Washington, DC, and I-495) on
Saturday, May 10, 2008, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Look for the details in future issues of the Newsletter, and on the conferences page of our web site or call us toll-free at 1-877-588-7904.
Mark the Dates!
The 11th Conference
The 11th International Thyroid Cancer Survivor’s Conference will be held from October 17-19, 2008, in St. Louis, Missouri at the Sheraton Park Plaza. Download the flyer and share it with family and friends – get the word out! We look forward to seeing you there. Don’t miss it!
Packets for Newly Diagnosed Patients or Patients new to ThyCa are free. Just send your name and address to thyca@thyca.org. The packets include the following:
- Thyroid Cancer Awareness Brochure featuring actress Catherine Bell
- Thyroid Cancer Fact Sheet
- “Do You Have Thyroid Cancer” Brochure
- ThyCa Patient Services Information wallet card
- Local Support Group list
- Know Your Pills Information Sheet
- Low Iodine Diet Guidelines
- ThyCa Resources List
- Events Preview
- and more.
Become an informed patient; send for your packet today.
Why ThyCa—Thoughts in Journal Formatby Sonya Gordon, San Francisco, California
December 22, 2007 -- I got the ThyCa newsletter and reflected on why I joined ThyCa.
When I got home from the October conference, I thought maybe I didn't need to attend conferences. After all, I've been fine for 11 years.
And then it hit me. My doctor sent me for an ultrasound of a nodule seen 2 years ago but not mentioned. This time it was slightly larger and slightly changed. The radiologist recommended a biopsy... Although the doctor says this is "just in case" and is not worried, you know how it hits you. I googled myself silly.
Then I looked at the Conference program. If the conference were tomorrow, all my questions would be covered and answered. I WILL attend all Thyca ThyCa conferences as long as I am able. There are new discoveries every day .Did you know recurrence can occur decades after surgery and ablation?
I sent in a volunteer form. Count me in, especially if I dodge this bullet.
December 26, 2007--My research told me something that no doctor ever mentioned. It can recur DECADES after the first surgery and ablation. All the questions I researched would have been answered on a one-to-one basis if I had known enough to ask them at the conference. The subjects WERE covered.
Although my doctor is very upbeat about this, a fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is always scary.
Hope I can help for many years.
January 22, 2008 -- After waiting 5 weeks for a FNAB and 5 days for results, I was diagnosed with an enlarged, but benign lymph node, which will be followed. I won't let them make me wait 5 weeks again.
I will attend the conference in St. Louis armed with many questions.
Anything I can do to help ThyCa.
Editor's Response – Yes, ThyCa is a great resource! I believe that all ThyCa members are glad they joined. I know I am. ThyCa arms you with the information you need to be an informed patient. At last year’s conference the speakers even mentioned that “WE” are the experts and not “THEM”.. With ThyCa on our side, we are! Thank you very much for volunteering for ThyCa, and for helping it to be there for all of us.
Low-Iodine Recipe of the MonthA Tasty Vegetable Dish
Contributed by Sherry S.
CONFETTI RICE BAKE
1 1/8 cup white rice
2 teaspoons salt (non-iodized/non-sea salt)
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
2 cups water
2 cups chicken broth (homemade or no-salt)
1-1/2 cups mixed vegetables
2 Tablespoons Fleischman's or Mother's unsalted margarine
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray or grease a 9" x 13" size or similar-sized casserole with lid.
- In saucepan, heat the water and broth. Add salt and pepper. Add rice and stir. Add veggies and stir. Pour into casserole and cover.
- Bake 15 minutes at 400 degrees; then reduce temperature to 350 degrees and bake for 30 additional minutes or until rice is tender. Cut up margarine and stir into rice until melted. Fluff and serve.
- If you want to use brown rice, add approximately 2/3 cup additional water and cook the rice and broth for about 10 minutes before putting into casserole and the oven.
*You can also add some chicken breast on top of the rice and it will be a complete meal.
*I sometimes like to use 4 cups broth (no water) for a stronger chicken flavor.
**I consider this comfort food, and it is easy, too—one of my requirements when cooking while hypo.
Thank you, Sherrie! Your recipe will be added to the next edition of the FREE Downloadable Low-Iodine Cookbook. Download the cookbook, with more than 250 favorite recipes from more than 200 generous volunteers.
Invitation! Send your favorite recipe to recipes@thyca.org, for a future newsletter and the cookbook’s next edition.
From the Editor....JUST A NOTE:
Catherine Bell, actress, and the thyroid cancer survivor on the ThyCa brochure, has just made a movie for the Hallmark Channel entitled, “The Good Witch.” I saw it and liked it very much. You might want to watch it. It’s a good movie. It also shows us that thyroid cancer survivors do survive and look darn good doing it. Check your local listings. Enjoy!
From the Mailbox...
E-mails to thyca@thyca.org
Colorado...Thank you for making so much information available at a time in my life with this new challenge ahead of me.
West Virginia...I would like to request a free packet for my daughter who has thyroid cancer - she's 19. The cookbook has been so helpful to us!
Arizona...I am so happy to discover your organization . . . as I sit here, rubber gloved at my computer and in my second day of RAI. Upon coming across the very amusing poetry, I just wept. It’s not that I wish this on anyone else, but “hypo hell” certainly describes it – especially the insomnia part. That’s been the most difficult. I’d like to request your new patient packet before I go dispose of my tear-stained gloves.
Texas...I thank you for this information as well as that on your website. This is such a confusing position to be in and your articles have surely helped me to sort through it all.
New York...Thank you for all you do. Your LID cookbook helped get me through a very difficult time.
California...This website has been a lifesaver.
Ohio...I have found your site very informative and helpful. I have had to be on a low iodine diet for the past week before my I-131 treatment. The cookbook is a great help.
New York...This site has been a big help!
California....Blessings to you and thanks for being there.
Here are four ways:
- Volunteer
- Raise Awareness—Get Free Materials
- Become a Member
- Donate
ThyCa NEWS NOTES
Copyright (c) 2008 ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc.
Thank you to Pat Paillard, Editor and Contributor, and the writers, editors, and proofreaders for this issue: Gary Bloom, Sara Brenner, Sonya Gordon, Sherrie S., and Cherry Wunderlich.
The deadline for articles and news items is the first day of each month. Suggestions for articles are welcome.
We invite you to send News Notes to your family and friends. For permission to reprint in another electronic or print publication, please contact us.
ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc. is a national non-profit 501(c)(3) organization (tax ID #52-2169434) of thyroid cancer survivors, family members, and health care professionals. We are dedicated to support, education, and communication for thyroid cancer survivors, their families and friends, as well as to public awareness for early detection, treatment, and lifetime health monitoring, and to thyroid cancer research fundraising and research grants.
Contact us for free awareness materials and information about our free services and special events. E-mailthyca@thyca.org, call 1-877-588-7904, fax 1-630-604-6078, write PO Box 1102, Olney, MD 20830-1102, or visit the website.