Women who undergo treatment for thyroid cancer may be at increased risk of developing breast cancer up to 20 years later. Overall, women with thyroid cancer had an 18% higher-than-average risk of developing breast cancer. Premenopausal white women were 42% more likely to develop breast cancer. It is likely that radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment for thyroid tumors may contribute to the development of breast cancer. The uptake of the radioactive iodine, although low, by the breast may influence the susceptibility of the premenopausal breast tissue to the development of cancer. The findings are based on data from nearly 300,000 cases of breast cancer and more than 23,000 cases of thyroid cancer reported to the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database from 1973 to 1994. Cancer July 15,2001;92:225-231
It is very rare where one would need to destroy the thyroid with radiation to resolve a hyperactive thyroid. Nearly all autoimmune disease is related to a viral infection, a heavy metal intoxication or a parasite. If one can identify and address these underlying causes, the immune system corrects itself and the hyperactive thyroid resolves.
This is not the first time that the use of radioactive iodine has been shown to increase cancer risks (see below).
Related Articles:
Radioactive Iodine for Thyroid Cancer May Increase Risk of Breast Cancer Radioactive Iodine for Hyperthyroidism Increases Thyroid and Small Bowel Cancer Risk
Radioactive Iodine for Thyroid Cancer May Increase Risk of Breast Cancer
Radioactive Iodine for Hyperthyroidism Increases Thyroid and Small Bowel Cancer Risk
Return to Table of Contents #244