Thyroid nodules are common, but around one-third of biopsies produce unclear results — often leading to surgery as a precaution. Yet only 20% of those patients are ultimately found to have cancer, meaning the majority undergo unnecessary operations.

ACT has awarded a grant to support Dr Aimee Di Marco and Joshua Agilinko (as part of his PhD), with scientific guidance from Professor Fausto Palazzo and colleagues in endocrinology at Imperial College London, in validating a new molecular test called Mir-THYpe full. Developed in Brazil and already tested in over 5,000 patients, this more accurate and cost-effective tool analyses biopsy samples to identify cancer with greater precision — and is now being validated for use in the UK for the first time.

If successful, this work could significantly reduce the number of unnecessary thyroid operations performed each year, sparing patients considerable risk and distress. With support from Arcobaleno Cancer Trust, this study aims to improve diagnosis, reduce unnecessary surgery, and bring new hope to patients with thyroid disease.