TOLL FREE:
1-866-611-2665
Thyroid cancer diagnoses have been increasing in Canada over the past several decades, especially among women aged 40 to 60. However, mortality rates have stayed very low. The Canadian Cancer Society estimated that 130 women and 110 men will die from thyroid cancer in 2020.
Cells in the thyroid can sometimes start to grow or behave abnormally. This may lead to non-cancerous, or benign, conditions such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodules, thyroiditis, or goitre. Sometimes these changes can cause cancer.
There are four types of thyroid cancer: papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic. Papillary is the most commonly diagnosed, but only a small proportion of these cancers behave aggressively and very few patients die.
Papillary thyroid cancer may form a nodule, but it’s important to note that thyroid nodules are extremely common – over half of people over 60 have one, according to the American Thyroid Association. Women are more likely than men to develop thyroid nodules, but most of them are benign with only 2-12 percent becoming cancerous.
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located in the lower front of the neck which produces hormones that control your metabolism. Lumps or bumps in this gland are called nodules. What causes them is not known, although iodine deficiency and inflammation of the thyroid can increase the risk of developing thyroid nodules.
Changes in the thyroid may be seen or felt, but most thyroid nodules don’t cause symptoms. They are often discovered during a routine physical exam or via medical imaging, like ultrasound, performed for unrelated reasons.
Sometimes the tissue in a nodule makes too much of the thyroid hormones causing hyperthyroidism, which can be seen by performing a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) blood test. However, most thyroid nodules, including those that are cancerous, are actually non-functioning, meaning tests like TSH are normal.
It’s important to see your doctor if you have:
The only way to definitively determine if a thyroid nodule is cancerous is to examine it under a microscope. The most common method is called fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy, where a very small needle is inserted into the thyroid nodule and cells are removed for microscopic examination. However, only a small percentage of nodules are cancerous, and, of those, an even smaller percentage requires treatment. Most thyroid cancers are curable and rarely cause life-threatening problems.
At Mayfair Diagnostics, we follow the American College of Radiology’s Thyroid Imaging, Reporting, and Data System (TI-RADS) for the classification and evaluation of thyroid nodules. Our thyroid ultrasound reports to your doctor describe the nodule’s features, assess the risk of malignancy, and help determine next steps, such as the need for FNA or ultrasound follow-up to monitor nodule growth or development of worrisome features.
The goal of TI-RADS is to help you and your doctor balance the benefit of identifying cancers that require treatment against the risk of biopsy and treatment of benign nodules or indolent cancers – cancers that are slow-growing and will almost certainly never be problematic.
Thyroid nodules and other thyroid conditions, such as goitre (enlarged thyroid) and inflammation of the thyroid, can increase the risk of thyroid cancer. Other risk factors include:
This exam is covered under your Alberta and Saskatchewan Health Care Insurance Plans and must be requested by a health care practitioner. To determine whether it’s appropriate for you, your doctor will often review your medical and family history, risk factors, how long symptoms have been present, and how they affect daily activities. If a thyroid ultrasound is indicated as a best next course of action, your doctor will provide you with a requisition and the appointment can be booked.
Mayfair has 13 locations in Calgary, one in Cochrane and one in Regina, which offer thyroid ultrasounds. Thyroid biopsies are performed in hospitals or doctors’ offices.
American Thyroid Association (2018) “Thyroid Nodules.” www.thyroid.org. Accessed June 14, 2021.
Brady, Dr. Bridget (2015) “Thyroid Nodules: Prevalence, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatments.” www.endocrineweb.com. Accessed June 14, 2021.
Brenner, D. R. et al (2020) “Projected estimates of cancer in Canada in 2020.” Canadian Medical Association Journal. March 02, 2020 192 (9) E199-E205. Accessed June 14, 2021.
Canadian Cancer Society (2021) “Thyroid cancer statistics.” www.cancer.ca. Accessed June 14, 2021.
Canadian Cancer Society (2021) “What is thyroid cancer?” www.cancer.ca. Accessed June 14, 2021.
Topstad, D. and Dickinson, J. A. (2017) “Thyroid cancer incidence in Canada: a national cancer registry analysis.” Canadian Medical Association Journal. Jul-Sep; 5(3): E612–E616. Accessed June 14, 2021.
Vaccarella, S., et al. (2016) “Worldwide Thyroid-Cancer Epidemic? The Increasing Impact of Overdiagnosis.” New England Journal of Medicine, 375;7: 614-17.
Our Refresh newsletter delivers the latest medical news, expert insights, and practical tips straight to your inbox, empowering you with knowledge to enhance patient care and stay informed.
By subscribing to our newsletter you understand and accept that we may share your information with vendors or other third parties who perform services on our behalf. The personal information collected may be stored, processed, and transferred to a country or region outside of Quebec.
Please read our privacy policy for more details.
At the heart of everything we do is a belief that every image tells a story—and every story deserves care.
At Mayfair Diagnostics, we provide state-of-the-art medical imaging that helps patients and physicians get the clarity they need to make informed decisions about health. From routine check-ups to complex diagnoses, our role is to deliver answers with compassion and accuracy.
We offer a full spectrum of imaging services, including:
MRI, CT, and X-Ray for advanced diagnostic insight
Ultrasound and Mammography for preventative and women’s health
Nuclear Medicine, Bone Density, and Cardiac Imaging for specialized care
Pain Management and Interventional Procedures to improve quality of life
But our work extends beyond exams and equipment. As the largest teleradiology provider in Western Canada, we connect urban, rural, and remote communities with expert radiology services—ensuring access to care when and where it’s needed most.
We also partner with local organizations, sports teams, and community groups to keep people healthy and active. From professional athletes to families booking their first screening, our commitment is the same: timely results, advanced technology, and compassionate care.
To improve lives with clarity, compassion, and care—one focused image at a time.
But numbers only tell part of the story. What truly defines us is our culture of compassion. We’re a team of caregivers, innovators, and problem-solvers who share a commitment to excellence. Whether supporting frontline care, developing new technology workflows, or guiding a patient through their appointment, we approach our work with empathy and integrity.
At Mayfair, you’re not just part of a company—you’re part of a community. Together, we’re shaping the future of health care, making advanced imaging accessible, and creating a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.
WHO WE ARE. WHAT WE DO. Why we’re more than a workplace
At Mayfair Diagnostics, we’re caregivers, nurturers, creators and thought leaders—deeply rooted in a passion to help people. We deliver meaningful work, compassionate care, and an environment where every team member can thrive.
Key Points:
Founded on over a century of excellence in medical imaging.
Owned and operated by 50+ radiologists, supported by 400–640+ employees across clinical, technical, administrative, and support roles.
Operating 17 locations across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and beyond (14 in Calgary, plus Cochrane, Regina, Saskatoon).
Serving 600,000–700,000 patients annually, delivering over 90,000 radiological interpretations—the largest teleradiology provider in Western Canada.
Vision & Mission:
Vision: “A world in which every person has clarity about their health.”
Mission: “To improve people’s lives, one focused image and one caring, compassionate human touch at a time.”
