Semaglutide and the Risk of Thyroid Cancer: Let’s Talk About It

At Astral Skin Clinic, we believe in empowering our clients with clear, balanced information - especially when it comes to your health and wellbeing. One topic that occasionally surfaces when people search for information on Semaglutide (Wegovy) is its potential link to thyroid cancer. So let’s break it down together.

Where the concern came from

The story starts with Semaglutide’s predecessor, liraglutide (Saxenda). In early animal studies, there was a small, non-significant increase in thyroid cancer. “Non-significant” is an important word here - it means the results were no stronger than what might occur by chance. But, as is often the case, media headlines took that and ran with it.

While those early studies didn’t establish a meaningful risk, they did set the stage for further research - understandably so. Since then, Semaglutide has been the subject of rigorous human safety studies, precisely because of this early concern.

What the latest science tells us

The most comprehensive review so far looked at ten randomised control trials involving over 14,000 patients, comparing the risks of various weight loss medications - including Semaglutide.

The result? There was no significant link between Semaglutide and thyroid cancer - or any cancer, for that matter.

Interestingly, what the review did highlight is that obesity itself is a much stronger risk factor for thyroid cancer. To quote the findings:

"... obesity is linked to a significantly higher risk of thyroid cancer, with overweight individuals facing a 25% increased risk and obese individuals a 55% increased risk compared to their normal-weight counterparts. Additionally, for every 5-unit increase in BMI, the risk of thyroid cancer escalates by 30%." - PMC

So if we’re being honest about risk, we also have to acknowledge that untreated obesity is the bigger threat.

Dr Mike teaching fellow medical professionals at his aesthetics academy

Why this matters to us

We’re not sponsored by any pharmaceutical companies. We’ve made the decision to offer Semaglutide at Astral Skin Clinic based on careful consideration of the evidence - and because we’ve seen the difference it can make for people struggling to manage their weight and health.

When Saxenda first launched, aesthetics insurers were cautious - partly due to the same media headlines we’ve mentioned. But today, with years of safety data behind these treatments, insurers now fully cover Semaglutide under clinic policies like ours. That shift speaks volumes.

Making informed choices

Our goal isn’t to persuade you one way or another - it’s to give you the facts and support you in making an informed decision that’s right for you. If you’re considering Semaglutide and have questions, we’re here to talk you through it, openly and honestly.

If you want to read the scientific review for yourself, you can find it here.

Have questions? Ready to chat about whether Semaglutide is right for you?

Drop us a message or book a consultation with Dr Mike to discuss your options.