A CLOSE family friend just this morning shared heartbreaking news: someone in her family has thyroid cancer. I tried to comfort her with hopeful stories—of colleagues who had the same condition, underwent surgery, and are now back at work, healthy and strong. But my words faltered when she told me it was her 12-year-old daughter who had been diagnosed. Suddenly, my examples of recovery did not seem enough. How do you explain hope and healing to a child facing cancer?
I was more disheartened to realize that thyroid cancer is no longer rare—not even among children. In workplaces, in families, in communities, it is quietly rising. Some try to link it to COVID-19 vaccines, but such claims lack scientific grounding. The truth is, thyroid cancer has been on the rise for years—both globally and here at home. I found that one of the reasons for this increase is improved detection due to technological advancements in the medical field.
This small, butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck plays a major role in our metabolism, yet its disease often goes undetected until it is advanced. According to the Department of Health, in 2020, there were over 586,000 new thyroid cancer cases globally. In the Philippines, it now ranks as the seventh most common cancer, with more than 7,700 new cases reported. Women are disproportionately affected, with young women aged 15 to 24 among the most vulnerable. And now there is this 12-year daughter of a friend of mine. They are getting even younger.
And yet, there is hope. Thyroid cancer is among the most treatable forms of cancer if caught early. Surgery, radioactive iodine therapy, and hormone replacement often lead to favorable outcomes. Despite its high incidence, it ranks only 21st in cancer-related deaths in the country.
But that is only if you can access care. Many Filipinos still struggle with late diagnosis and uneven access to treatment. Through Republic Act No. 10786 (National Thyroid Cancer Awareness Week Act) and the National Integrated Cancer Control Act, the government has made strides in awareness and accessibility. Still, more must be done.
We owe it to our children—and to ourselves—to treat thyroid cancer not as a quiet, personal tragedy, but as a national health priority. With stronger education, timely screenings, and equitable care, we can shift the story from fear to survival, from despair to hope.
