Thyroid nodule primary prevention

Primary prevention of thyroid nodule is aimed at prevention of thyroid cancer. Avoidance of exposure to radiation and monitoring population with an increased risk of development of a malignant thyroid nodule play major roles in primary prevention.

The primary prevention of thyroid nodule is aimed at prevention of thyroid cancer development or a malignant nodule. The avoidance of the following factors is associated with a lower chance to development of a mailgnant thyroid nodule:^[1]

• Avoid radiation exposure (specially at young age)
• Individuals with diseases known to be associated with thyroid cancer should be checked regularly
• Biochemical monitoring with periodic calcitonin level check in case of family members with medullary carcinoma
• Individuals known to have been exposed to external radiation should be checked immediately and thereafter yearly for thyroid cancer.