Huge Surge in Thyroid Cancer in New South Wales, Australia

Thyroid cancer has risen dramatically in the New South Wales region of Australia over the last decade. While the area had a low rate to start with, the Cancer Institute issued a report which says that thyroid cancer in the area was up by 40 per cent in men, and 84 per cent in women.

According to the Australian Broadcasting System (ABC), Verity Firth, the Assistant Health Minister, has said that "the popularity of gourmet sea salts in cooking is contributing to the problem," and that "thyroid disease can be prevented if people use iodized table salt instead."

The rates are also skewed toward higher risk in the city, versus the country. Assistant Health Minister Firth told the ABC, this is because "country people are eating common table salt, which contains iodine, rather than gourmet sea salt products."

You can read, download and print the PDF version of the Cancer Institute's 76 page report online, at: Thyroid Cancer in New South Wales: April 2008 -- Cancer Institute NSW Monograph.

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