Former Attorney General Pam Bondi diagnosed with thyroid cancer
Shortly after former Attorney General Pam Bondi was fired in April, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Axios first reported her cancer diagnosis.
Former U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi was diagnosed with thyroid cancer shortly after leaving office earlier this year and is undergoing treatment, a person familiar with her condition said.
Bondi, 60, was fired by President Donald Trump in April and is expected to return to the Trump administration to serve on an advisory committee on artificial intelligence policy to fight cancer.
According to the Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic, thyroid cancer is caused by malignant cells that grow in the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck that makes hormones. These hormones regulate how your body uses energy, including your metabolism, heart rate, and blood pressure.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, thyroid disease is more common in older adults and women.
What causes thyroid cancer?
The Mayo Clinic notes that while it’s not always clear what causes the DNA changes that cause thyroid cancer, there are risk factors to be aware of, including:
- Gender (because thyroid cancer occurs more often in women than men)
- radiation exposure
- Certain hereditary genetic syndromes
A family history of thyroid cancer, obesity, and insufficient iodine intake are also risk factors, the Cleveland Clinic added.
Symptoms of thyroid cancer
According to the Mayo Clinic, most thyroid cancers don’t cause any symptoms in the early stages, but as the cancer grows, you may develop the following symptoms:
- Voice changes, such as increased hoarseness
- difficulty swallowing
- swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- My neck and throat hurt
- lump in neck
These lumps on your neck are called thyroid nodules, says the Cleveland Clinic, but if you notice them, don’t panic. “Most nodules are not cancerous. Only 1 in 10 thyroid nodules turns out to be cancerous.”
Treatment of thyroid cancer
Treatment options for thyroid cancer include surgery, radioactive iodine therapy, and targeted therapy.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the most common treatment is surgery, which may include complete or partial removal of the thyroid gland.
Most thyroid cancers can be permanently cured with treatment.
“This is especially true if the cancer has not spread to distant parts of the body,” the clinic added. “Treating thyroid cancer early reduces the risk of the cancer spreading.”
