Increasing incidence of thyroid cancer in the Nordic countries with main focus on Swedish data

Abstract

BackgroundRadiofrequency radiation in the frequency range 30 kHz–300 GHz was evaluated to be Group 2B, i.e. ‘possibly’ carcinogenic to humans, by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) at WHO in May 2011. Among the evaluated devices were mobile and cordless phones, since they emit radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). In addition to the brain, another organ, the thyroid gland, also receives high exposure. The incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing in many countries, especially the papillary type that is the most radiosensitive type.MethodsWe used the Swedish Cancer Register to study the incidence of thyroid cancer during 1970–2013 using joinpoint regression analysis.ResultsIn women, the incidence increased statistically significantly during the whole study period; average annual percentage change (AAPC) +1.19 % (95 % confidence interval (CI) +0.56, +1.83 %). Two joinpoints were detected, 1979 and 2001, with a high increase of the incidence during the last period 2001–2013 with an annual percentage change (APC) of +5.34 % (95 % CI +3.93, +6.77 %). AAPC for all men during 1970–2013 was +0.77 % (95 % CI −0.03, +1.58 %). One joinpoint was detected in 2005 with a statistically significant increase in incidence during 2005–2013; APC +7.56 % (95 % CI +3.34, +11.96 %). Based on NORDCAN data, there was a statistically significant increase in the incidence of thyroid cancer in the Nordic countries during the same time period. In both women and men a joinpoint was detected in 2006. The incidence increased during 2006–2013 in women; APC +6.16 % (95 % CI +3.94, +8.42 %) and in men; APC +6.84 % (95 % CI +3.69, +10.08 %), thus showing similar results as the Swedish Cancer Register. Analyses based on data from the Cancer Register showed that the increasing trend in Sweden was mainly caused by thyroid cancer of the papillary type.ConclusionsWe postulate that the whole increase cannot be attributed to better diagnostic procedures. Increasing exposure to ionizing radiation, e.g. medical computed tomography (CT) scans, and to RF-EMF (non-ionizing radiation) should be further studied. The design of our study does not permit conclusions regarding causality.

Changing geographical patterns and trends in cancer incidence in children and adolescents in Europe, 1991–2010 (Automated Childhood Cancer Information System): a population-based study

“…This fact is especially relevant in adolescents, as many cases are germ cell tumours and carcinomas 1 . The candidate explanatory groups for the increase in at least a part of the period are thyroid carcinoma, 31 testicular tumours, 32 and melanoma 33 . In particular, the patterns for Belarus are probably shaped by the pronounced increase and later waning of thyroid cancer incidence during the study period, reflecting exposure to the radioactive fallout from the Chernobyl accident 34 .…”

Psychological Distress and Illness Perceptions in Thyroid Cancer Survivors: Does Age Matter?

“…1 However, it is the most common endocrine malignancy and incidence rates are increasing. [2][3][4] Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) includes papillary or follicular thyroid cancer, and generally has a very good prognosis with 20-year relative survival rates of up to 95%, 5 resulting in a high prevalence of survivors. The majority of DTC patients are diagnosed with limited disease.…”

The EORTC module for quality of life in patients with thyroid cancer: phase III

“…While thyroid cancer is one of the less common malignancies with an age-standardised rate in Europe of 6.3 per 100,000 per year (3.1 in men and 9.3 in women) (Ferlay et al 2013), the incidence rates have been rising rapidly in many countries (Amphlett et al 2013, Husson et al 2013b, Radespiel-Troger et al 2014, Carlberg et al 2016, Morris et al 2016. Papillary and follicular thyroid cancers have a very good prognosis with 20-year relative survival rates of 95% (Brenner 2002) but the rarer medullary cancers have 10-year survival rates of 75-85% (Pacini et al 2010, Brown et al 2011, Wu et al 2012, and patients with (very rare) anaplastic tumours often do not survive 6 months after diagnosis (Brown et al 2011).…”