THYROID CANCER more common near volcanoes

Italian researchers found that people who live in volcanic areas may have an elevated risk of developing thyroid cancer.

Among people living in Sicily's Catania province, home to the active Mt. Etna volcano, there were 32 cases of thyroid cancer per 100,000 women per year and six cases per 100,000 men. Across the rest of Sicily, those rates were 14 and 3 per 100,000 respectively.

The large majority of cancers were papillary thyroid tumors, a slow growing form of the disease that accounts for most cases of thyroid cancer.

Located at the base of the neck, thyroid gland produces hormones that help regulate heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and weight. Thyroid cancer is relatively uncommon in the US. Risk factors include iodine deficiency and exposure to high levels of radiation such as radiation treatment to the head and neck - but beyond that, little is known about the types of environmental exposures that might contribute to cancer.

Researchers said, it's possible that thyroid cancer rates were higher in Catania because of the chemicals that are present in drinking water from the volcanic aquifer. In many specimens of drinking water, from the volcanic area was found 4 metals and the natural radioactive compound radon 222 increased over the maximm admissible concentration.

Be aware, initial symptoms of thyroid cancer can include a lump in the front of the neck, voice changes or hoarseness, swollen glands in the neck and difficulty breathing or swallowing - though such symptoms more often have a cause other than cancer.