CLEVELAND, Ohio — January is National Thyroid Awareness Month, and the American Thyroid Association said as many as 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease.

For Patty Skerl, her thyroid cancer diagnosis happened almost by accident.

What You Need To Know

  • January is National Thyroid Awareness Month

  • The American Thyroid Association says as many as 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease

  • Studies show that thyroid cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in females between the ages of 15 and 29

  • The American Cancer Society says you should talk to your doctor right away if you are experiencing any signs or symptoms such as a lump or swelling in your neck, trouble swallowing, or trouble breathing to name a few

She actually went to see the doctor because of issues with her ear.

“And he said, 'Well, I can’t fix that, but something doesn’t feel right with your neck. Let’s take a look at that more deeply,'” said Skerl.

An ultrasound and biopsy confirmed she had two cancerous tumors on both sides of her thyroid. The diagnosis came just before Christmas in 2007.

“It was scary. Devastating. I mean, it’s a very emotional experience to be diagnosed with cancer,” said Skerl.

Things happened quickly from there.

She underwent a serious surgery in early January 2008 that completely removed her thyroid.

“Trying to navigate, trying to understand everything when it’s hitting you all at once was probably the toughest part of all of this,” said Skerl.

Looking back, the now 52-year-old mother and wife realizes she had many symptoms.

“My nails were growing weird, part of my eyebrow wasn’t there anymore, my hair was falling out. I felt tired a lot. Those types of things together can indicate problems with your thyroid, but as a 40-year-old woman, I just thought, you know, I’m getting older. It’s not that big of a deal,” she said.

Your thyroid performs vital functions in your body. It controls hormones and metabolism. And because of Skerl’s surgery, for the rest of her life, she will need medication to mimic those key functions.

“And it does take some time for your body to adjust. I mean, they took a gland out of your body. So, it’s not, ‘Oh, here’s your pill. Go on your way.’ It’s 'Well, let’s try this amount and see how your body adjusts,'" she said.

When Skerl sought out more information and resources, she realized there wasn’t a local support group to lean on.

Skerl decided to change that by forming a Cleveland chapter of ThyCa: The Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association.

"It’s just a nice feeling to know that we’re as a group providing support for people who are frankly scared. Really, really scared," said Skerl.

Skerl said the neck scar is something that unites them.

“The way I liken it is when you buy a new car suddenly you see your car everywhere and that kinship or that feeling like, OK, you know, I got a cousin over there with another car. How many people do you know have a scar on their neck? And it’s there and it’s not that I look for it, but when you see it you kind of are compelled to say something,” said Skerl.

According to the American Cancer Society, thyroid cancer is more commonly diagnosed at a younger age and women are three times more likely to develop thyroid cancer than men.


Skerl hopes others learn from her story the importance of listening to your body.

“Don’t just let it go. I mean, it’s your life that you’re talking about” said Skerl.

Studies show that thyroid cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in females between the ages of 15 and 29.

The American Cancer Society said you should talk to your doctor right away if you are experiencing any signs or symptoms such as a lump or swelling in your neck, trouble swallowing, or trouble breathing, to name a few.