The Claim
Between 1999 and 2008, the age-standardized incidence rate of thyroid cancer in South Korea increased 6.4-fold, from 6.4 to 40.7 per 100,000 population, and this increase was driven almost entirely by the detection of small thyroid tumors less than 20 mm in size, which accounted for 94.4% of the total increase in incidence.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
In South Korea, between 1999 and 2008, doctors started finding a lot more tiny thyroid cancers—so many that the overall number jumped more than six times. But almost all of these were very small tumors that probably wouldn’t have caused any harm if left alone.
See the scientific wording
Between 1999 and 2008, the age-standardized incidence of thyroid cancer in South Korea increased 6.4-fold, from 6.4 to 40.7 per 100,000 population, driven almost entirely by the detection of small tumors less than 20 mm in size, which accounted for 94.4% of the total increase.
What the research says
1 studyThe study found that the big jump in thyroid cancer diagnoses in South Korea wasn’t because more people were getting sick, but because doctors started using ultrasounds to find tiny, harmless lumps that never would’ve caused problems — and that’s exactly what the claim says.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.