February Is National Self‑Check Month: Why Self‑Checks Matter for Early Detection of Thyroid Nodules
- Dr. Richard Harding
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
January’s Thyroid Awareness Month may be behind us, but the conversation about thyroid health continues. February is National Self‑Check Month, a nationwide reminder that early detection begins with you — and checking your neck for a thyroid nodule is one of the easiest places to start.
At Thyroid Nodule Treatment Center and Arizona Endocrine Surgery, we see every day how early awareness leads to better outcomes.
Thyroid nodules are extremely common, often silent, and frequently discovered by accident.
A simple monthly self‑check can help you notice changes early and take action with confidence.
Why Thyroid Self‑Checks Matter
Thyroid nodules are common — and often go unnoticed
Most nodules don’t cause pain. Many don’t cause symptoms at all. A quick self‑check helps you spot changes before they become uncomfortable or visible.
Early detection leads to better decisions
Finding a nodule doesn’t mean something is wrong. Most are benign. But identifying one early allows for proper evaluation, monitoring, and — when appropriate — minimally invasive treatment options that preserve your thyroid.
Self‑checks reduce uncertainty
Patients often describe the relief of simply knowing what’s happening in their neck. A self‑check gives you a baseline and helps you recognize when something feels different.
February is the perfect time to build the habit
National Self‑Check Month encourages people to take ownership of their health. Adding a 30‑second neck check for a thyroid nodule to your routine is one of the easiest, most impactful habits you can adopt.
How to Perform a Simple Thyroid Neck Check
A thyroid self‑check takes less than a minute and can be done at home with a mirror and a glass of water.
You’re looking for:
A lump or bulge when you swallow
Visible asymmetry in the lower neck
A feeling of fullness or pressure
Any new or persistent change in the contour of your neck
To make this even easier, we’ve created a step‑by‑step guide you can download and share:
What to Do If You Find a Thyroid Nodule
Finding a lump doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong — but it does mean it’s time for a professional evaluation. If your self‑check reveals something new — or if you’ve been told to “just watch it” but symptoms are getting harder to ignore — you deserve clarity and options.
Ask your Primary Care Provider for an examination and request a referral to an endocrinologist, ENT or otolaryngologist.
The endocrinologist, ENT or otolaryngologist will determine next steps and order labs and images
Upon receiving the results, they may make a referral for you to Dr. Harding.
At Thyroid Nodule Treatment Center within Arizona Endocrine Surgery, Dr. Richard Harding specializes in non‑surgical, minimally invasive treatments for benign thyroid nodules, including:
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
CellFx Nano‑Pulse Ablation (NPA)
Microwave Ablation (MWA)
These treatments shrink nodules without removing the thyroid, avoid general anesthesia, and leave no surgical scar.
Your Thyroid Health Is in Your Hands — and We’re Here to Help
National Self‑Check Month is a reminder that your health begins with awareness. A simple monthly neck check can help you catch changes early, reduce uncertainty, and open the door to treatments that preserve your thyroid and your quality of life.
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