Blockbuster Weight Loss Drugs & Thyroid Cancer Risk: New Study Finds Increase in Diagnosis Rates; Earlier Detection May Be Responsible

The other diabetes medications that were compared to a GLP-1 drug was a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i), dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP4i), and sulfonylurea.

“This finding may have been due to enhanced early detection; therefore, further research is necessary to understand the underlying causes of this association,” the study authors write.

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It’s important to understand that patients on drugs like Ozempic shouldn’t spark worry in those taking it as there is no clear data on whether GLP-1 drugs can possibly heighten a person’s thyroid cancer risk.

Another recent study, published in peer-reviewed journal The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, has suggested that the overdiagnosis of thyroid cancer continues to be a “crucial unresolved public issue” across the nation.

The population-based study, led by Cedars-Sinai investigators, offered insight that the disease is overdiagnosed and despite a push in screenings and treatment, survival rates have not increased over the years.

Researchers looked into data of 91,968 thyroid cancer patients, about 25 percent male and 75 percent female, from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database and the National Center for Health Statistics database—and discovered that the annual incidence rate of the disease per 100,000 people more than doubled from 1975 to 2009.

In 1975, the annual incidence rate was 5.0 cases per 100,000 people. In 2009, the annual incidence rate was 14.6 cases per 100,000 people. However, in the 2019, the rate reached a plateau.

The study authors pointed out that the reported increase was more prevalent in women between the ages of 40–69 years and men ages 50 to 79 years old.

Senior author of the study, Zachary Zumsteg, MD, associate professor of Radiation Oncology and Biomedical Sciences at Cedars-Sinai Cancer said in a statement, “Many studies have established that the incidence of thyroid cancer has dramatically increased for at least four decades, but the probability of dying of thyroid cancer has remained exactly the same.

“This means we are diagnosing and treating many cancers that would do no harm despite recent efforts to reduce overdiagnosis.”

Explaining further, Dr. Zumsteg said, as per Cedars Sinai, “People visiting the doctor in 1975 were less likely to receive imaging than those visiting the doctor in 2019.

“So today doctors are finding thyroid nodules that would not have been detected in previous decades, leading to more biopsies and diagnoses of small, slow-growing thyroid cancers that might not require treatment.”

He added, “Our analysis found that in 1975, the probability of being diagnosed with thyroid cancer was basically the same in people of all ages.

“Over time, the increase has been concentrated in women ages 40-69 and men ages 50-79. This especially affected women, who tend to interface with the medical system more often than men.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Allen Ho, MD, Director of the Head and Neck Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, who previously spoke with SurvivorNet about HPV and Cancer Risk, addressed how “active surveillance” may help in thyroid cancer cases. He is leading a Cedars-Sinai clinical trial on this matter.

“The hope is that these [clinical] trials will make clinicians and patients more comfortable with active surveillance and that updated clinical guidelines will bring the practice into widespread use,” Dr. Ho explained.

“If current trends continue, we will continue to overdiagnose thyroid cancer and to needlessly treat patients—doing more harm than good.”

Dolores Catania’s Usage of Blockbuster Weight Loss Drugs

In an earlier interview on “Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen,” Catania explained, according to People, how she chose to go on Ozempic before a “Real Housewives” reunion.

When Cohen joked, “What housewife isn’t on Ozempic?” she replied, “Not one… I wasn’t going to come to [the] reunion looking bigger than anyone else, so I got on the bandwagon.”

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She also told The U.S. Sun in 2023, “I’m down 20 pounds. I’m being realistic. Right now, I’m 137. I was 157 when I started. I jumped to 163 … I was going there. Like, I was gaining weight every month. So then when I finally kicked in… the problem is, like, if you don’t start it, it takes time to work.

“It doesn’t happen overnight. It doesn’t come off easy. I took Ozempic, stopped and then began Mounjaro. I was medically prescribed for both because I am insulin resistant/pre-diabetic and have a thyroid issue.”

Catania continued, “You know, everyone’s losing so much weight [on it]. It’s questionable, what are the repercussions of this when everyone’s done? Is there side effects? All the doctors that I spoke to said ‘no.’

“I stopped taking it because it was expensive and everything. But being healthy and living a healthy lifestyle is cheap – it’s free!”

She noted how she continues to prioritize exercise on a daily basis, adding, “There is no easy fix for weight loss and I have to watch what I eat.”

Understanding GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are a group of medications primarily used to manage type 2 diabetes. They help lower blood sugar levels by mimicking a natural hormone in the body that regulates insulin release and appetite. In recent years, these drugs—like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda)—have also gained popularity for their effectiveness in promoting weight loss.

RELATED: Could Popular Weight Loss Drugs Like Ozempic and Wegovy Lower the Risk of Certain Cancers? A New Study Offers Hope

In the past year or so, story after story has been published about the surprising effects these drugs can have. In addition to weight loss, there have been reports that the drugs can reduce people’s urge to drink, help them quit smoking, and even resolve certain fertility issues. It’s been touted in the media as a sort of miracle drug, however, much more research is needed.

Scientists have long known that obesity is linked to higher cancer risk, but whether GLP-1RAs could reduce this risk had not been extensively studied—until now.

These drugs, like semaglutide, work by impacting the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP) GLP-1 hormone.

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, meaning that it mimics the effects of GLP-1 in the body. Given as weekly subcutaneous injections, it is normally prescribed to manage blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. It also leads to a significant amount of weight loss in these patients.

Integral to blood sugar control, GLP-1 is a hormone released by the gut in response to food. It causes the pancreas to release insulin. A rising blood insulin level causes all the body tissues to start absorbing glucose (blood sugar) from the bloodstream, thereby lowering blood glucose levels. GLP-1 also prevents the release of glucagon, which is a hormone that raises blood sugar levels by stimulating liver cells to release glucose and helps people feel full for longer. These effects can also cause people to lose weight.

Although semaglutide has been approved for blood sugar control in people with type II diabetes, under the brand name Ozempic, and for weight loss under the brand name Wegovy, it has not been approved for use as an immune booster and cancer preventative. Thus, it should not be prescribed for that purpose. Those taking it to control their diabetes or weight, however, can expect the additional benefit of improving their immunity. as per a recent study, and lowering their cancer risk, as a link between weight and cancer does exist.

It’s important to note there are a variety of drugs available right now for weight loss, like Nova Nordisk’s semaglutide—which can be purchased under brand names Ozempic, Weygovy, and Rybelsu—and Tirzepatide, sold under the brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound. Others include Phentermine (Adipex-P, Lomaira), a prescription medication which lessens one’s appetite, Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion), and bupropion (the generic form of Wellbutrin).

Health Risks Associated With Ozempic

Although people have had success with weight loss thanks to Ozempic, it’s important to understand there are dangers associated with “chasing skinny.” Healthcare company Lexicomp recently shared negative side effects of the medication, including an increased risk of cancer.

Lexicomp explains Ozempic as “an injectable prescription medicine for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus that: along with diet and exercise may improve blood sugar (glucose),” noting it’s not the first choice of medicine for treating diabetes.

Major Reduction in Cancer Risk by Following Old Standbys Diet and Exercise

As for the most important information people should know before taking the drug, Lexicomp says Ozempic may cause serious side effects. Some of the possible side effects include:

• inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis)
• changes in vision
• low blood sugar, kidney problems
• kidney failure
• serious allergic reactions.

“The most common side effects of OZEMPIC may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach (abdominal) pain and constipation. Talk to your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away,” Lexicomp states.

“These are not all the possible side effects of OZEMPIC. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.”

The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center also says, regarding Lexicomp’s warning, “This drug has been shown to cause thyroid cancer in some animals. It is not known if this happens in humans.

“If thyroid cancer happens, it may be deadly if not found and treated early. Call your doctor right away if you have a neck mass, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or have hoarseness that will not go away.

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“Do not use this drug if you have a health problem called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), or if you or a family member have had thyroid cancer.”

The side effects that call for immediate medical attention, in regard to all uses of the drug, the MSKCC lists as:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
• Signs of gallbladder problems like pain in the upper right belly area, right shoulder area, or between the shoulder blades; change in stools; dark urine or yellow skin or eyes; or fever with chills.
• Severe dizziness or passing out.
• A fast heartbeat.
• Change in eyesight.
• Low blood sugar can happen. The chance may be raised when this drug is used with other drugs for diabetes. Signs may be dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy or weak, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, or sweating. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs. Follow what you have been told to do for low blood sugar. This may include taking glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or some fruit juices.
• Severe and sometimes deadly pancreas problems (pancreatitis) have happened with this drug. Call your doctor right away if you have severe stomach pain, severe back pain, or severe upset stomach or throwing up.

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For anyone using GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, or for its intended prescribed purpose, be sure to report any side effects immediately to your medical team, and of course, be sure to consult with them before you take the medication to determine whether or not it is right for you and your personal health history.

Recognizing Thyroid Cancer Symptoms

Thyroid cancer is a disease that begins in the thyroid gland, which is at the base of the neck. The cancer will often present itself as a large bump (tumor) in the neck. It remains unclear what causes the disease. Some symptoms of thyroid cancer can be mistaken for a common cold.

Dr. Scott Strome, a head and neck cancer surgeon who is currently the dean of the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, and previous chair of head and neck surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, explained thyroid cancer in an earlier interview with SurvivorNet.

7 Common Signs of Thyroid Cancer & How to Spot Them

“We’re now able to detect thyroid disease, thyroid cancers, much earlier than we used to be able to,” Dr. Strome said. “We tend to see it predominantly in younger women, but it can occur in both men and women.  In most cases, I tell my patients that, ‘Your thyroid cancer is a barnacle on the ship of life.’”

Dr. Strome suggests finding an experienced thyroid expert for treatment.

“Folks who have thyroid cancer, they need to go to a really experienced thyroid setting and have folks who really understand the disease.  Those are for the most indolent type of thyroid cancers, called papillary,” he explained.

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“Thyroid cancer is a pretty interesting disease, because papillary is a really indolent cancer.  On the other end of the spectrum, you have what’s called anaplastic thyroid cancer, which may be one of (if not the) most aggressive cancers that we see. So it’s a whole spectrum of disease.”

Treatments for thyroid cancer can include surgery, hormone therapy, radioactive iodine, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Symptoms of thyroid cancer include the following:

• A lump in the neck, sometimes growing quickly
• Swelling in the neck
• Pain in the front of the neck, sometimes going up to the ears
• Hoarseness or other voice changes that do not go away
• Trouble swallowing
• Trouble breathing
• A constant cough that is not due to a cold

“Most people have no discrete symptoms; the majority of cases now are found incidentally,” Dr. Allen Ho, an ENT at Cedars-Sinai, said in a previous interview with SurvivorNet.

“However, a sizable number of people may first discover their cancer when they feel a bump on their neck. Other possible late symptoms include problems swallowing, the sensation of something in their throat, neck compression when laying flat or voice changes.”

RELATED: Doctors Tell Woman Rapidly Gaining Weight to Eat Less – But It Was Thyroid Cancer: ‘Deep Down I Knew Something Was Seriously Wrong’

The good news is that many of these possible symptoms, including lumps in the thyroid, are both common and commonly benign — but it never hurts to ask your doctor.

Chances of cancer recovery increase significantly with early detection, so it’s important to address any warning signs of thyroid cancer, or any cancer for that matter, with a medical expert swiftly.

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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