‘I Was Diagnosed With Thyroid Cancer at Age 39—This Was the First Sign That Something Was Wrong'

Beth Ann Mayer
·7-min read

Thyroid cancer affects tens of thousands of people per year, and the majority are women.

Of the 44,000 people who will likely be diagnosed with thyroid cancer this year, more than 31,000 will be women, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). The ACS also notes that thyroid cancer is often diagnosed at a younger age than many adult cancers. The average age of a thyroid cancer diagnosis is 51.

Jennifer Tyburski was 39 when she learned she had thyroid cancer, and her age wasn't the only reason she was surprised.

"I’ve always been healthy and never had any major health issues," Tyburski says. "I maintained a healthy weight, and we eat like a typical family—nutritionally balanced. I am that mom who only buys organic milk. I’ve always been active and considered myself a healthy, on-the-go mom of two boys who didn’t neglect my health. I even started taking barre classes and felt stronger than ever."

Tyburski would have to tap into strength that she didn't know she had to go through treatment for thyroid cancer and to receive the diagnosis in the first place. After noticing a lump on her neck in December of 2023, she went to the doctor, and her bloodwork came back normal. However, she didn't feel normal.

"At one point, I almost felt silly for the follow-up care, wondering if I was overreacting and thinking, ‘Am I wasting their time?'" Tyburski says.

The answer is a resounding no. Tyburski's continued self-advocacy ensured she got the critical care she needed to ultimately spend more time with her family, including two sons. She shared her thyroid cancer symptoms, diagnosis and what she's learned from the experience.

Spending time with her son on the beach.<p>Jennifer Tyburski</p>
Spending time with her son on the beach.

Jennifer Tyburski

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The Early Symptoms One Woman Wishes She Knew Could Be Signs of Thyroid Cancer

Tyburski was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in April of 2024. However, she noticed some changes during the previous fall and winter. In hindsight, they may have been early signs of thyroid cancer. "I was exhausted," Tyburski says. "I’d be reading to my son and suddenly fall asleep—sometimes for hours. It was very out of character for me."

Fatigue can be a common early sign of thyroid cancer (and even a signal that it's spread).

Tyburski started using an afternoon cup of joe not as a pick-me-up but to get through the day. "During my yearly physical, I had mentioned the fatigue to my doctor, but we both chalked it up to raising my busy and active boys," Tyburski says.

On Christmas Eve of 2023, she noticed swelling and pain in the middle of her neck and went to urgent care. "They reassured me not to panic and advised me to follow up with my primary care doctor," Tyburski says. "In January, I visited my primary care physician, and my blood work came back normal. I had also undergone a yearly physical exam a few months prior, and all the blood tests related to my thyroid were normal then, too. It felt strange—I was doing everything right but still couldn’t figure out what was happening."

That was when Tyburski started second-guessing herself, but another flag saw her resume her quest for answers.

"[In] mid-February...I visibly spotted a bump on my neck while washing my face," Tyburski says. "I initially thought it might be something like Hashimoto’s disease and never imagined it could be cancer."

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disease that generally causes an underactive thyroid (and rarely—but sometimes—triggers an overactive thyroid). It can lead to inflammation, which can present as fluid-filled lumps. However, the ACS notes that neck lumps are also a sign of thyroid cancer, and that's what Tyburski learned she had.

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The Unexpected Answer

Tyburski saw an endocrinologist in April of 2024 and finally got the answer. "They felt around my neck and mentioned there were likely some nodules. They recommended a neck ultrasound," Tyburski says. "I learned that the vast majority—more than 95%— of thyroid nodules, or lumps in the thyroid gland, are benign or noncancerous, so I still felt like it wasn’t a big deal."

Then, the doctors ordered a biopsy right after the ultrasound. "That’s when I started to feel uneasy," Tyburski says. "They fit me in so quickly, and I sensed something might be wrong. Waiting a week for the results was tough."

Hearing the news that she had thyroid cancer wasn't any easier. "When I found out it was thyroid cancer, I was scared," Tyburski says. "I didn’t know what to expect since I’d never known anyone with this type of cancer. I was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer, the most common type."

There were some silver linings, though. "Although it had spread extensively across my neck," Tyburski says, "I was relieved to find out that it usually responds well to treatment and is highly curable when taken care of."

According to the Cleveland Clinic, papillary thyroid cancer generally spreads slowly and more than 90% of adults go on to live at least 10 to 20 years post-treatment.

Treatment

Determined to advocate herself and find the best provider for her needs, Tyburski researched specialists and chose Dr. Kepal Patel, MD, the chief of endocrine surgery and leading surgeon within the Thyroid Program at NYU Langone Health.

On June 11, 2024, Dr. Patel performed an eight-hour thyroidectomy to remove Tyburski's entire thyroid and 69 impacted lymph nodes. Dr. Patel's goal was to remove as much cancer as possible without damaging delicate structures like the nerve controlling Tyburski's voice box.

"Despite the extensive nature of the surgery, I had an amazing experience,"  Tyburski says. "While many people have a scar in the middle of their neck after a thyroidectomy, mine extends from underneath one ear to the other. It was a lot, but it’s healing beautifully, thanks to Dr. Patel’s care. He treated me as a whole person, not just a patient."

Voice changes can happen even with skillful hands performing a thyroidectomy, but Tyburski was lucky. "My voice remained the same," Tyburski says, again crediting Dr. Langone and the NYU Langone team. "As a mom, I was concerned about the possibility of my voice changing, and I’m so grateful that didn’t happen."

Tyburski still had more steps to take in her treatment plan. Dr. Patel and the team suggested she take a radioactive iodine treatment, which she was told is common after a thyroidectomy when cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. The intention is to destroy the remaining thyroid cancer and treat residual cancer. She worked with an endocrinologist on her care plan and took the radioactive pill in August. After all that she went through, this part was the most challenging.

"With small children, I was especially concerned about exposing them to high levels of radioactivity," Tyburski says. " As their mom, they always want to be close and cuddle, so isolation was critical. While I was isolated in my bedroom, my boys and husband would have dinner outside on the patio where I could see them and wave from the window."

Raising Her Voice and Making a Difference

Tyburski is relieved she's no longer in isolation. Now, she's speaking out. Her voice is unchanged and her scarring is minimal, but she's determined to leave an imprint on others.

"If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s how crucial it is to advocate for yourself. You know your body best," Tyburski says. "I was shocked to learn that you can have normal blood work and still have thyroid cancer—a misconception I hope other people take seriously."

Ultimately, Tyburski hopes her story gives others strength. "As a mom, we often put our own needs aside and focus on our families," she says. "This experience was a wake-up call. I want to emphasize the importance of paying attention to your body, recognizing when something feels off and seeking treatment when necessary. Early diagnosis truly makes a difference—catching thyroid cancer early can lead to a much more straightforward outcome."

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