Thyroid cancer is one of the fastest growing cancers in the United States. Over the past few decades, its incidence rate has more than tripled, meaning it is rising faster than any other major cancer type. Behind the overall numbers lies a troubling paradox for Black Americans. It is the fact that even though Black people develop thyroid cancer at lower rates than other racial groups, they experience a more advanced disease, receive less optimal treatment, and are more likely to die from it.
It is also important to note that African Americans are at a higher risk for anaplastic thyroid cancer compared to other racial groups. This is an aggressive and often fatal form of thyroid cancer that grows rapidly and typically has a poor prognosis.
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Black Patients Have Lower Prevalence, but Higher Risk
Thyroid cancer is nearly three times more common in women than men and is 40%–50% less common in Black people than in any other racial or ethnic group. For 2026, the American Cancer Society estimates an estimated 45,240 new cases will be diagnosed (13,240 in men and 32,000 in women), alongside around 2,320 deaths. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database also shows that from 1980 to 2016, incidence rates rose sharply from 2.39 to 7.54 cases per 100,000 in men and from 6.15 to 21.28 in women. Even though rates have been stabilized in recent years, they remain far higher than before.
Black Patients Less Likely to Receive the Recommended Surgery
The American Thyroid Association stated that Black patients faced a significantly higher risk of dying from thyroid cancer. Additionally, while differences in tumor biology explained most of the risk for Hispanic patients, it was revealed that it was not the case for Black patients.
To add to this disparity, the American Thyroid Association revealed that Hispanic patients were most likely to receive guideline‑recommended surgery (79%), while Black patients were least likely (68.9%). With that being said, nearly every patient with advanced cancer got the correct operation (96.6%), and only 63.7% of early‑stage patients received the same standard of care. Thyroid cancer surgery is highly specialized and outcomes depend heavily on correct technique and the surgeon’s level of experience. By not receiving the recommended operation immediately, Black patients are at higher risk for complications, recurrence, and long-term mortality..
The Real Driver is Social Determinants of Health
Researchers have found that the social determinants of health that affect thyroid cancer survival rates and treatment options include:
- Income and insurance status
- Education
- Access to specialty care
- Living in medically underserved neighborhoods
- Delayed diagnosis
- Lack of referral to high‑volume surgeons
- Transportation or time barriers
- Impacts of medical mistrust
These factors shape when people get diagnosed, what treatments are offered, whether they can see the right specialists, and how consistently they can follow up.
This means the disparity in thyroid cancer outcomes is not about biology, but about access, resources, and systemic inequities. The fact that Black Americans develop the disease less often yet are more likely to die from it reveals a deeper and more urgent truth. As thyroid cancer rates continue to rise nationwide, these inequities will only become more dangerous if left unaddressed.
Click here to learn more about thyroid cancer.
Is Thyroid Cancer Increasing in Incidence and Aggressiveness?
Key Statistics for Thyroid Cancer
Outcomes of thyroid cancer in African Americans
Social Determinants of Health and Disparities in Thyroid Care
What Black Communities Should Know About Thyroid Disorders
Why do thyroid cancer outcomes differ across racial and ethnic lines?
