Why Thyroid Cancer Is Rising—and What Your Body May Be Trying to Tell You

TCM can effectively restore thyroid function through herbal medicine and acupoint therapy.

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The recent rise of thyroid cancer in the United States has been dramatic. Since 1975, the incidence of thyroid cancer has nearly tripled, increasing faster than any other type of cancer.

This rise is frequently attributed in Western medicine to the widespread adoption of advanced imaging technologies, which incidentally detect many early-stage microcarcinomas, Dr. Chou Tsung-Han, chief physician of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) department of Ming Tang Clinics in Taiwan, told The Epoch Times.

However, from a TCM perspective, detection alone does not fully explain the increase. Individual constitutional and environmental influences play crucial roles in disease susceptibility and progression.

How TCM Interprets Thyroid Disorders

Chronic stress, irregular lifestyles, and increasingly refined diets in modern life can disrupt the body’s internal balance, Chou said. In TCM, these patterns may lead to qi (vital energy) stagnation, phlegm-damp accumulation (a buildup of metabolic waste), and obstruction of qi and blood—manifesting as impaired circulation and the buildup of metabolic waste.

Coupled with external factors such as environmental hormones and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, these internal and external influences may interact to promote the formation of nodules and, in some cases, increase the risk of thyroid cancer. In TCM, this interplay represents a deeper underlying reason for the rising incidence of thyroid cancer.

Thyroid-related conditions are managed based on pattern differentiation—a method that tailors therapy to the individual’s overall condition rather than focusing solely on the disease.

Therapies typically include customized herbal formulas to regulate systemic balance and acupuncture to promote the smooth flow of meridians (energy pathways). The goal is to strengthen the body’s constitution and stabilize the internal environment.

For patients who have undergone surgery or radioactive iodine therapy, TCM often serves a complementary role—supporting recovery, alleviating side effects, restoring vitality, and enhancing immune function.

Emotional Health and Thyroid Function

Chou has observed a strong link between emotional stress and thyroid disorders. Research in both animals and humans suggests that chronic stress can disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, affecting hormone regulation and metabolism.

Although stress does not directly cause cancer, prolonged imbalance may weaken immune function and reduce the body’s ability to repair itself, he said.

Chou emphasized the importance of maintaining emotional stability, noting: “A cancer diagnosis is actually the body’s way of reminding you to take better care of yourself.”

Herbal Formula to Treat Thyroid Nodules

Teng Cheng-Liang, director of Xiang He TCM Clinic in New Taipei City, Taiwan, also highlighted TCM’s distinct advantages in treating thyroid nodules.

Thyroid nodules are localized areas of tissue overgrowth or structural change within the thyroid gland. They may be solid, cystic, or mixed in composition, and most are benign.

Teng introduced a traditional herbal formula, Xiao Luo Wan (Reduce Scrofula Pill), which can be used to clear heat, nourish yin, resolve phlegm, and dissipate nodules, primarily targeting scrofula due to liver-kidney yin deficiency with phlegm-heat.

However, it must be taken consistently over time to see noticeable results. He added that Xiao Luo Wan is also used for various thyroid conditions, including goiter and ophthalmopathy associated with hyperthyroidism, and that pharmacological studies have supported its therapeutic effects.

Chou noted that nodules with certain features—such as hardness, rapid growth, indistinct borders, or symptoms such as weight loss and fatigue—require closer evaluation. In these cases, combining TCM and Western medical assessment is recommended.

Herbal medicines can be purchased at Chinese herbal pharmacies or health supplement stores. However, since each person’s constitution and condition are unique, it is recommended to consult a qualified TCM physician for a personalized treatment plan.

Acupressure for Thyroid Support

In addition to taking herbal medicine, acupressure on specific points can also help improve thyroid function. TCM practitioner and Epoch Times contributor, Naiwen Hu, introduced an acupoint particularly helpful for regulating the thyroid, called the “thyroid point,” located just above the earlobe. Regularly pressing this point can help relieve discomfort in cases of both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

The Epoch Times

People with thyroid issues often feel noticeable discomfort when pressing this acupoint, which indicates that the correct spot has been located.

With regular stimulation of the thyroid acupoint, you may also notice that walking or climbing stairs feels easier, and sensations of a lump in the throat or excessive phlegm are relieved.

Early intervention to adjust the body’s constitution can often help prevent further progression of nodules.

Simple Practices to Support Thyroid Health

Beyond herbal therapy, lifestyle adjustments play a key role.

Chou recommends the following:

• Maintain a consistent daily routine
• Avoid overly stimulating foods
• Manage stress effectively
• Avoid excessive iodine or supplement use

Thyroid disorders, including the rising incidence of nodules and cancer, are closely tied to modern stress, irregular lifestyles, and environmental factors. By addressing the root causes through TCM’s holistic approach—restoring qi flow, resolving phlegm-damp, and nurturing emotional balance—we can support the body’s natural ability to heal and maintain long-term thyroid health.