Medical history to diagnose thyroid cancer

Your doctor may ask you the following questions to help evaluate a thyroid nodule and determine whether you have thyroid cancer:

• What are your symptoms?
• When did you first notice your symptoms?
• Have you ever been treated for any kind of thyroid problem? If so, what was the problem, and how was it treated?
• Have you ever had radiation treatments to your head, neck, or chest?
• Have you ever been exposed to large doses of radiation, either through the environment or from medical tests, such as a large number of chest X-rays or CT scans?
• Has anyone else in your family ever been treated for thyroid cancer or other problems of the endocrine system?
• What prescription and nonprescription medicines do you take? It is a good idea to make a list of all of your medicines, including the dose and frequency, and take it to your appointment.

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