Thyroid cancer is the fastest growing cancer in the United States. Since the 1980s, thyroid cancer cases have tripled.  In the 80s, 4.3 out of 100,000 people were diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Fast forward to 2014 and that number has jumped to 15 out of 100,000.

According to some researchers, this dramatic increase is due to environmental and lifestyle changes that have happened over the last four decades. Well, the biggest environmental change since the 80s is undoubtedly the introduction of the cell phone and with it the Digital Revolution.


The thyroid gland is known by many as the butterfly gland. It sits at the front of the neck and is shaped somewhat like a butterfly. Unlike other glands which are set deep into our bodies and protected by layers of tissue and bone, the thyroid gland is close to the surface of our neck and, because of this, not well shielded from our environment.


“…the thyroid gland's location in the neck places it in close proximity to NIR emissions from cell phones when held to the ear. The estimated average specific absorption rate (SAR) of the thyroid gland for near-field exposure from a cell phone at 1800 MHz is higher than the SARs of most organs and tissues except those associated with the brain.” 


The thyroid gland produces important hormones that help regulate our temperature and our energy levels. We also now the thyroid gland needs iodine to produce its hormones. And we know the gland is very sensitive to radiation. In more alternative medical circles, the thyroid gland is thought to absorb radiation from our environment.

“…the thyroid gland is the most radiosensitive organ in the body.”

The big difference is in the type of radiation our thyroid glands are designed to absorb. There are many natural radiations which are beneficial to our health. The sun, the moon, the stars, and the earth itself emit different types of radiations. These radiations are beneficial for our bodies and help keep us healthy. It seems the thyroid gland is designed to absorb these natural radiations. 


However, when artificial, man-made radiations are present such as cell phone radiation or nuclear radiation, it seems the thyroid will absorb them as well.

Survivors of  the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 showed a high incidence of thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer increased after the nuclear plant accident in Chernobyl.


Environmental Science and Pollution Research INT published a study showing the effects cell phone radiation has on the cells of the thyroid gland and its hormones.


Low thyroid function has become somewhat of an epidemic in the United States, so most people are somewhat familiar with the two most prevalent thyroid hormones that we currently know about. That would be T3 and T4. 


T3 is the active form of the hormone, and T4 in the inactive. Many times, people have enough T4 circulating, but they are not able to convert it easily into the usable T3 form. This leaves them with low thyroid function. 


While there are many reasons for this, poor liver health being one of them, this study found a link between cell phone radiation and the the amount of active T3 in the body. It was found that exposure to cell phone radiation would cause a decrease in the levels of T3.

“Based on the evidence discussed above, the reduction in diameter of thyroid follicles is potentially linked with cell phone radiation. Exposure may negatively influence the iodine uptake in the thyroid gland or increase temperature effect on the thyroid gland.”

The Archives of Endocrinology and Metabolism published a review in 2017 titled “Radiation Exposure and Thyroid Cancer”.  According to the researchers, the link between thyroid cancer and radiation exposure has been well documented. These researchers concluded that the two main risk factors for the development of thyroid cancer were the amount of radiation exposure and the age of the individual when this exposure happened. These researchers found that thyroid cancer had a latency period of 5 to 10 years. Children were found to be the most susceptible.


With all of the studies pointing towards cell phone radiation exposure causing an increase in thyroid cancer, it is possible that stricter regulations around the use of theses devices might be necessary.


The World Health Organization has classified non-ionizing radiation - the type emitted by cell phones - as a Group 2B, a possible carcinogen. So, it seems the increase in thyroid cancer over the last 40 years could very well be linked to the increase in radiation exposure from cell phone use and background radiation from cell towers.


To play it safe, cell phones should be treated with caution. Minimize the holding of the cell phone to the ear whenever possible and instead use the phone on speaker. When the option exists, choose to text over calling, as texting gives off less radiation than a call. Try to minimize the amount of time the cell phone is carried in a pocket against the body and, whenever possible, turn the phone to airplane mode which blocks all radio communications but allows you to still text.

Sources:

Cell phone use and risk of thyroid cancer: a population-based case-control study in Connecticut (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6344271/)


The possible global hazard of cell phone radiation on thyroid cells and hormones: a systematic review of evidences (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31062236/)


Radiation Exposure and Thyroid Cancer: A Review (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28225863/)

Bio: 

Cassidy Gaddie has a background in nutrition, yoga, pilates and energy work. Her work with energy healing led to her interest in the effects of electromagnetic pollution on health and healing and her work with growinghealing.com.