By Eliza Dysart
Thyroid cancer survivors frequently face unmet needs, especially around information and emotional support, new research led by UF Health endocrinologist Naykky Singh Ospina, M.D., and UF graduate student Alisha Das found. These gaps often go unaddressed in a cancer known for its high survival rates.
“From the time of diagnosis through treatment and follow-up, many patients report the need for more information about their situation and feeling unsupported,” said Singh Ospina, an associate professor in the UF College of Medicine’s Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism and a member of the UF Health Cancer Center who led the study.
The study, published in JAMA Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, systematically reviewed decades of research to understand gaps in care. The review looked at 23 studies involving nearly 9,100 survivors. The research team analyzed how thyroid cancer survivors felt during and after treatment. Thyroid cancer survivors make up about 10% of all cancer survivors in the United States, yet their experiences have been surprisingly underexamined.
“We only found one interventional study that addressed these unmet needs,” said Das, who is pursuing a Master of Public Health in the UF College of Public Health and Health Professions.
Any cancer diagnosis leaves a lasting imprint, she said. “Once you’re given a diagnosis, you carry it for life, even after treatment ends,” Das said.
Singh Ospina aims to expand the existing intervention method, a navigation program for thyroid cancer survivors. She wants to ease the impact that a cancer diagnosis and uncertainty can have on patients.
“While we can adapt strategies that have worked in other types of cancer, like support groups or patient navigation, we also need new, patient-centered approaches tailor to thyroid cancer survivors that focus on communication, education, and emotional support,” said Singh Ospina. “These could include survivorship care plans, digital tools or systems to connect patients with resources and peer support early on.”
Initial diagnosis conversations and follow-up planning may create emotional distress for patients. That’s because a lack of information can cause a negative emotional response. If a patient does not understand something such as their diagnosis, treatment options or long-term risks, they may feel overwhelmed.
“Proactively asking patients if they have questions, checking their understanding and offering resources such as written materials, follow-up messages or referrals to counseling can potentially make a big difference,” said Singh Ospina. “By building this kind of support into routine care, we can help patients feel more informed, less anxious and better prepared for what’s ahead.”
For Das, the research project was her first major paper, and she earned credit as its first author. The experience provided her professional growth and mentorship.
“I learned how to advocate for myself in research and how to contribute to a larger project while still bringing my own voice into it,” she said.
“I learned how to advocate for myself in research and how to contribute to a larger project while still bringing my own voice into it.” — Alisha Das
Das participated in the UF Health Cancer Center’s University Scholars Program, which allows undergraduate students to gain research experience under the guidance of a UF faculty member. Singh Ospina was Das’s faculty research mentor.
“The University Scholars Program came at a time when I was really eager to explore clinical research and it was the perfect fit,” Das said.
For her part, Singh Ospina gained a fresh perspective while mentoring Das. Her questions helped Singh Ospina explore concepts she had not considered.
“It was incredibly rewarding to mentor Alisha,” Singh Ospina said. “From the very beginning, she brought passion, curiosity and a strong desire to contribute meaningfully to cancer research.”
Singh Ospina plans to continue the research, and Das will be an active participant.
“We’re currently conducting a follow-up study to explore how the unmet informational and emotional needs we identified in the literature are experienced by patients at our own institution,” Singh Ospina said. “The goal is to gather insights directly from thyroid cancer survivors about their experiences and to understand what kinds of solutions they find most helpful or would like to see implemented.”
