A study presented Saturday at ENDO 2026, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in Chicago, suggests that longer lifetime exposure to female hormones may increase the risk of thyroid cancer in women. The research, which analyzed data from multiple cohorts, indicates a potential link between reproductive factors and thyroid cancer incidence.
Researchers examined data from over 1,000 women with thyroid cancer and compared them to controls. They found that factors such as early menarche, late menopause, and longer duration of hormone replacement therapy were associated with a higher risk. The study's lead author emphasized that the findings are observational and do not prove causation.
Thyroid cancer is more common in women than men, and hormonal factors have long been suspected as a contributor. The study adds to the evidence but requires further research to understand the mechanisms. Experts recommend that women discuss their individual risk factors with their healthcare providers.
