Increasing Detection and Increasing Incidence in Thyroid Cancer

Background It has been proposed that the increasing incidence of thyroid cancer is due to increasing detection. Methods Using administrative data, we compare by year from 1993 to 2006, the rates of diagnostic imaging tests of the neck (computed axial tomography—CT, magnetic resonance imaging—MRI, and non-obstetrical ultrasound—US) to the incidence of thyroid cancer for the population of the Province of Ontario Canada. Results Women and men have different rates of tests, and those rates reflect the rates of new diagnoses of thyroid cancer. Conclusions The rising incidence of thyroid disease in women is associated with increasing numbers of diagnostic imaging tests.