CHICAGO — The prevalence of thyroid cancer and other forms of thyroid disease in the United States is markedly greater in whites and females.
Preliminary data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 2005–2006 showed that an estimated 13.3 million Americans have thyroid disease, including nearly 240,000 who have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, Dr. Pramil Cheriyath reported at the annual meeting of the American Thyroid Association.
The prevalence of thyroid disease was 7.8% among whites, 2.7% among blacks, and 1.8% in Hispanics. The prevalence was 7.1% in females and 1.7% in males, according to Dr. Cheriyath of Harrisburg (Pa.) Hospital. Nearly 89% of individuals with thyroid disease had health insurance.
Unlike many other types of cancer, thyroid cancer has traditionally been more common among whites. That remains the case. The etiology of this powerful association among race, sex, and thyroid cancer remains unclear.
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