Thry'vors Increases Awareness about the “Good Cancer” On the Rise

TORONTO - Many consider Thyroid Cancer to be the “good cancer” or the best cancer you can get since the mortality rate is low. Yet, it still remains the leading cancer on the rise in incidence. According to the Canadian Cancer Society's annual statistics released today, Thyroid cancer has the highest growth in detection in both sexes (5.5% in men, and 10.1% per year in females since 1997). The CCS estimates that 4,300 Canadians will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2008 - 890 men and 3,400 women. Of the 166,400 Canadians diagnosed with cancer in 2008, approximately 2.6% will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer. All patients and survivors face a lifetime of monitoring and follow-up since the recurrence rate can be high as 30%. The Canadian Thyroid Cancer Support Group also known as Thry'vors, raises awareness and offers support to patients with this cancer type.

“This disease has no age boundaries and can develop in men and women. Thyroid health affects all aspects of well being for the entire population yet very little attention is given to this small but vital gland. Many are not well informed about this type of cancer although it is a growing concern especially in younger adults,” says Rita Banach, Thry'vors President.

Established in 2000, Thry'vors started as an informal support and discussion group for patients. Today, Thry'vors has nearly 900 listserv members in Canada and has grown into an organization that provides printed matter, a website, a listserv, telephone and email support and meetings. Thry'vors benefits from the expertise of a Medical Advisory Panel of thyroid cancer experts who respond to medical questions on-line and via a newsletter.

The purple butterfly is the logo for Thry'vors and is representative of the butterfly shape of the thyroid gland.

“Through continued support from individuals, corporations, foundations and government, we can increase our efforts to help educate fellow Canadians suffering from this disease. By providing support to our members, we can reassure them that they are not alone. Members are ecstatic to hear from not only other survivors but are also appreciative of the feedback from our medical professionals. Although we have only reached a small percentage of those suffering from the disease, we continue to strengthen our efforts. Over the last 8 years, the growing response has been positive and we know we are on the right track.” Banach concluded.

About Thry'vors: Thry'vors is a non-profit charitable organization entirely operated by volunteers. The organization provides resources and support to thyroid cancer patients, their families and the general public. For more information please contact Rita Banach, President at 416-487-8267 or visit www.thryvors.org.