Thyroid cancer is the most common form on endocrine cancer today. In an article via Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, facts about thyroid cancer are shared. Though both women and men can experience thyroid cancer, women are more likely to suffer from it in their 40s and 50s. Men aren’t typically diagnosed with thyroid cancer until their 60s and 70s. However, women are three times more likely than men to have thyroid cancer.

The American Cancer Society estimates that around 44,280 new cases of thyroid cancer in both men and women will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year. Of those, approximately 2,200 will result in death. However, most varieties of thyroid cancer are treatable, with the majority of individuals beating the disease.

One of the most common predictors of thyroid cancer is prolonged exposure to radiation in the head and neck. This might cause some to wonder if microwaves—which use radiation to cook food—could be a potential culprit. An article on this topic by Cancer.net states that this is not the case.

How can women protect themselves? Look for these symptoms: a painless lump in the neck, unexplained hoarseness or difficulty swallowing which persists. Individuals are encouraged to see their doctor if one of more of these symptoms is noticed.

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