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importance of routine. "The last thing I do at night is get my pill ready, and the first thing I do in the morning is take the pill before I jump in the shower," she told the Spanishlanguage newspaper La Opinión. "I don't think about it anymore." Also helping Vergara and plenty of others take the diagnosis off their minds: The five-year survival rate of papillary and follicular thyroid cancers, when caught early, is nearly 100 percent. PHOTO BY ARAYA DIAZ/GETTY IMAGES OTHER THYROID ISSUES Cancer isn't the only factor that can affect thyroid function. The hypothyroidism that Vergara developed as a result of physically losing her thyroid can also be triggered by autoimmune disorders-that's when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys cells-such as Hashimoto's disease. Left untreated, "it really creates emotional problems, decreasing the quality of life," Bianco says. Hypothyroidism affects nearly 1 in 20 Americans ages 12 and older. Symptoms may include fatigue, dry skin, feeling cold, heavy menstrual periods and weight gain. It can be treated with thyroid hormone replacement therapy. But feeling exhausted or bloated doesn't always mean the thyroid is to blame. Doctors can confi rm thyroid problems with blood tests that gauge whether levels of the thyroid-stimulating hormone, or TSH, are out of whack. Affecting about 1 in 100, a far less common condition-hyperthyroidism, sometimes called "overactive thyroid"- is the opposite scenario. That's when, often prompted by an autoimmune disorder called Graves' disease or an inflammation known as thyroiditis, the thyroid gland produces more hormones than the body needs. Among the side effects: heavy sweating or excessive warmth, vision problems, sudden weight loss and constipation. "You feel like you're sitting waiting for the roller coaster to take off; your heart's running at 90 miles an hour," Tuttle says. In this case, hormone-blocking medication is a first line of defense, although radioactive iodine ultimately may be required to disable the thyroid (or surgery to remove it). Thyroid cancer, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism all can cause an enlarged thyroid gland, called a goiter. But a goiter does not always mean there is a thyroid problem. Where noncancerous nodules are concerned, your doctor may choose to monitor growth over time before taking further action. GREATER AWARENESS Thyroid cancer is the most rapidly increasing cancer in the U.S. Although still rare, it was expected to include about 62,450 new cases in 2015, according to the American Cancer Society. That, experts say, doesn't signal an epidemic but instead means greater awareness and detection of thyroid disease, thanks to public advocates like Vergara and to more advanced diagnostic methods. Recurrence, though, is a risk-even years after surgery-which means continuing a dialogue with one's doctor and living healthfully are key. By working with a personal trainer to develop an exercise plan and maintain a balanced diet, Vergara is doing her part. With a bit of wiggle room, of course. The ever-feisty Gloria of Modern Family, after all, wouldn't stand for cutting out all the fun. "You have to live your life and be happy," Vergara told the Huffington Post, noting that she continues to enjoy dessert and the occasional cocktail. "But it's important to go to the doctor, to have your checkups, to work out, eat healthy, everything. Do everything that you can." ■ FACTORS THAT AFFECT YOUR THYROID: Although the root causes of thyroid problems and cancer are mostly unclear, there are ways to gauge your risk. * GENDER: Women are five to eight times more likely to have thyroid problems than men. * GENETICS: Find out whether your family has a history of thyroid disorders. Genes, in some circumstances, can play a role. * AGE: About two-thirds of thyroid cancer cases occur in people ages 20 to 55 (although it can happen at any age; hypothyroidism is most prevalent in people older than 60). * RADIATION: Childhood exposure to high levels of radiation therapy increases risk of thyroid cancer in adults. * DIET: Less common in the U.S., diets lacking in iodine can cause the thyroid to develop nodules. WEBSITE Find Support North Mississippi Cancer Care offers several local cancer support groups for patients, caregivers and special populations like men with prostate cancer. For more information, visit www.nmhs.net/cancer_ support_groups.php. WIN TE R 2016 13 http://www.nmhs.net/cancer_support_groups.php

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi

Contents
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - Cover1
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - Cover2
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - Contents
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 2
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 3
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 4
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 5
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Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - Cover3
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