Exploring Genetic, Environmental, And Lifestyle Risk Factors for Rising Thyroid Cancer Incidence

Abstract

This article states that Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common endocrine malignancy, with its incidence rising globally over the past three decades. This increase cannot be fully explained by early detection, as larger tumors have also been observed. While childhood exposure to ionizing radiation is a well-established risk factor, other potential contributors such as genetic alterations, iodine intake, hormonal imbalances, autoimmunity, obesity, and environmental pollutants—remain underexplored. A significant knowledge gap persists in understanding how these factors interact to drive the rising incidence of TC. Previous studies have produced inconclusive or conflicting results, especially regarding the role of undiscovered carcinogens or epigenetic changes in cancer development. To address this, we conducted a comprehensive literature review of studies focused on chromosomal alterations, lifestyle influences, and environmental exposures to TC. The findings suggest that genetic mutations, such as BRAF and RAS mutations, combined with environmental pollutants and hormonal factors, may be pivotal in TC development. The results highlight the complexity of TC risk factors, pointing to the necessity for further targeted studies on population-level iodine intake, childhood radiation exposure, and epigenetic modifications, these insights could lead to more effective prevention strategies and help mitigate the ongoing global rise in TC incidence. This review underscores the importance of continued research into the multifactorial mechanisms behind TC risk factors to better understand and potentially control its increasing prevalence.