CLEVELAND -- A lot is heard about breast cancer, colon cancer and prostrate cancer, but the cancer that is the fastest growing in incident in the United States is thyroid cancer, according to On Your Side Health reporter Alicia Booth.

During a routine physical, Nina Galante said her doctor felt a lump in her neck.

"When the doctor told me I had thyroid cancer, I almost didn't believe it because I didn't feel so bad," Galante said.

An ultrasound and biopsy revealed two malignant nodules, Booth reported.

Every year, 30,000 Americans are diagnosed with papillary cancer, the most common strain of thyroid cancer.

"Thyroid cancer is the cancer with the fastest rising incidents of any malignancy in the U.S.," said Dr. Paul Ladenson. "(It is) faster than colon or kidney cancer in men and faster in women than breast cancer by a long shot."

Dr. Louise Davies of Dartmouth Medical School said thyroid cancer occurs at a rate of about 2-to-1 in women more than men.

Davies conducted a study on the rising number of thyroid cancer cases. She said it's because advanced diagnostic tests are able to find smaller tumors

"We used to use physical examination, primarily. Now we can use ultrasound," he said.

Thyroid cancer often has no symptoms, but doctors said there are some things to watch for such as fatigue, a lump in your neck, a change in your voice and a change in the ability to swallow.

Surgery is the most common treatment for this type of cancer, Booth reported.

Galante had her thyroid removed, and she will have to take hormone replacement pills for the rest of her life.

Doctors can also perform what is called a fine-needle aspiration. This requires a needle to be inserted into the thyroid gland and a pathologist can evaluate the cells right then.

Ninety-percent of papillary thyroid cancer patients make a full recovery, Booth reported.

Experts said if you experience any symptoms mentioned above, see a doctor immediately. People who have a history of thyroid cancer in their family are also at a higher risk.