A patient who was referred to our clinic for a second opinion on management of a small localized papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) asked, “Why should I have surgery to remove my thyroid if it’s such a good cancer?” At the time of diagnosis, her health care practitioner told her she had a good cancer and recommended thyroidectomy. This question directly relates to the work by Davies et al1 in this issue of JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery. However, it is important to first clarify some misconceptions about the experiences of patients with thyroid cancer.