[Liz1967 April 24, 2016 at 2:51 pm Post count: 305]

#1177975

I am not finding any info like that. Find it hard to believe that they would recommend RAI if it increased breast cancer risk by 53%. I did find this at the American Cancer Society site describing RAI for thyroid cancer. Seems cancer risk very low but possible for leukemia. http://www.cancer.org/cancer/thyroidcancer/detailedguide/thyroid-cancer-treating-radioactive-iodine
Please post reference. I did not have RAI, however.

[KimberlyOnline Facilitator April 25, 2016 at 2:16 pm Post count: 4294]

#1177976

Hello – I did find the 53% statistic on a particular website (*not* the American Cancer Association), but they did not list a specific research citation. Normally, a credible cite will list the specific study where their statistics came from, so you can verify for yourself.

Interestingly, there was some research released just a couple of weeks ago that found women with a history of hyperthyroidism had an 11% increased overall risk of breast cancer. However, the study left many questions unanswered. For example, which treatment option for hyperthyroidism did the women select? (Since this was in Europe, my guess is the majority of patients received antithyroid meds or surgery). Also, how long were they hyperthyroid before receiving a diagnosis and treatment? In the meantime, the researchers recommend that “women with an overactive thyroid should stay in close communication with their doctors and follow routine breast cancer screening recommendations.”

Should doctors be talking about this potential risk before patients make a final treatment decision? Yes, absolutely. But it’s important to note that all three treatment options have risks and benefits.

I’m sorry that you are going through this, and I’m hoping that other members here who are also survivors will chime in here with their experiences.

EDIT: I tracked down the study where the 53% might have come from:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.22635/full

However, the study noted that, “The hyperthyroidism was caused by Graves disease in 57% (1604) of patients and by nodular thyroid disease (toxic multinodular goiter or toxic adenoma) in 43% (1189). The patients with nodular thyroid disease were older (median age 67 years vs 57 years, P < .001), received a higher cumulative dose of RAI (median dose of RAI, 259 vs 222 MBq, P < .001), and were treated earlier (median year of the first RAI, 1976 vs 1991, P < .001), but were followed as long as those with Graves disease (median follow-up time, 9 years 10 months vs 9 years 2 months; P = .57). The overall cancer incidence was increased in the patients compared with the corresponding control group in both etiologic groups (Table 2). However, the risk of breast cancer (RR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.07–2.95 vs 1.32; 95% CI, 0.79–2.20) and stomach cancer (RR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.20–4.71 vs 1.31; 95% CI, 0.49–3.51) was increased only in the patients with nodular thyroid disease but not in those with Graves disease.”

So even though this study excluded patients with thyroid cancer, it included patients with overactive nodules who received a higher dose of radiation than the Graves’ patients – and it looks like that is the group that had the higher risk of breast cancer.

[KimberlyOnline Facilitator April 25, 2016 at 4:25 pm Post count: 4294]

#1177977

For any of our newer members who are reading this thread for the first time, I feel I should add that the contentious posts in threads like this are the reason we now have forum guidelines in place that everyone must review and agree to before making their first post and then every 90 days or so thereafter.

We lost a lot of regular members – as well as some facilitators – while this was going on. Fortunately, for the last couple of years, nearly ALL of our posters been able to express differing opinions while still being civil and respectful.

[frankenstrat June 22, 2016 at 11:38 am Post count: 2]

#1177978

When I was first diagnosed with GD 9 years ago, the endocrinologist wanted to give me RAI immediately. I almost ran out of the office after she explained all the precautions I would need to take. This time around in April, I discussed my concern regarding cancer from RAI with 7 physicians (2 primary care, 4 radiologists, and my endo) prior to choosing the therapy. Not one of them could tell me of any direct correlation of cancer with RAI, especially for thyroid disorders since the doses are typically smaller than those received for thyroid cancer treatment. I also did my own research and really couldn’t find anything either. Cancer can be due to so many different factors and possibly including RAI so it’s really a personal choice that everyone needs to make.

[SDK April 10, 2018 at 10:55 am Post count: 2]

#1177979

Hello! I am new here and have so many questions. I was diagnosed with Grave’s almost 20 years ago. I am trying to learn the “lingo” used here (abbreviations, etc.) as I have had no interaction with anyone about my experience. You mention (I’ll paraphrase here as I am woefully tech challenged and not sure how to quote) that you almost ran out of the Dr. office due to all of the precautions you would have to take if you were given radioactive iodine to kill your thyroid. Do I have that right? What precautions are you speaking about? After reading for over an hour now, I am amazed at my lack of understanding. I might not believe it except for it happened to me, but my endocrinologist never mentioned anything to me about precautions. Actually, it was not even really explained exactly what to expect (except that we’ll get you on meds when the time comes). Pretty stressful time.

I gather that RAI = radioactive iodine, can you tell me what TT, ATDs, PTU, DDTs all stand for?

Thank you for your help.

[KimberlyOnline Facilitator April 10, 2018 at 11:52 am Post count: 4294]

#1177980

Hello and welcome – this is an older thread, and the last poster hasn’t been active for almost 2 years, so I’m not sure if you will get a response. However, my guess is that the “precautions” refer to post-RAI radiation safety guidelines where for several days after treatment, you must keep your distance from small children and pregnant women and take extra precautions with washing dishes & laundry, etc.. These exact guidelines will vary by state and by lab.

TT – Total thyroidectomy
ATDs – Anti-thyroid Drugs (methimazole and PTU)
PTU – See above
DDT – ?, an older pesticide, not sure why it was discussed here.

*edited post 4/11/18 to correct typo

[SDK April 11, 2018 at 11:44 am Post count: 2]

#1177981

Thank you, Kimberly.

[barbra April 21, 2018 at 7:17 pm Post count: 160]

#1177982

Naisly,

WOW, is such hostility really necessary?
I could hardly believe my eyes reading your posts.

Barbra.

[KimberlyOnline Facilitator April 23, 2018 at 4:41 pm Post count: 4294]

#1177983

Hi Barbra – That is a really old thread, and that individual no longer participates in our community.

I’ve left it up for transparency purposes, as I don’t like to delete posts unless it is REALLY necessary.

Fortunately, these days, our members are able to express differing opinions while still being courteous to each other.

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