'Big three' risk factors of kidney cancer as symptoms are usually silent
The 'big three' risk factors of kidney cancer have been revealed after reports that the illness is on the rise.
While kidney cancer impacts both men and women, it affects men slightly more, accounting for 60 percent of cases compared to 40 percent for women.
Kidney cancer symptoms are often described as silent, and while 75,000 are diagnosed in the US every year, the number is on the rise.
Meanwhile, according to Kidney Cancer UK, a whopping four in five kidney cancer cases are discovered entirely by accident.
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“There are also geographical differences in incidence. For example, renal cell carcinoma appears to be more common in people of Northern European descent, though it can occur in other populations," Dr Thomas Hutson, chief of the Hematology Oncology Division at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine told Woman's World.
Meanwhile, Steven Campbell Chair and Professor of Urology at West Virginia University School of Medicine explained that there are three risk factors of kidney cancer, which are worth knowing as there's currently no screening programme for the disease.
These are: Smoking, obesity and hypertension - also known as high blood pressure.
Dr Hutson also pointed out a few more factors that can increase risk. These are:
- Exposure to certain products and chemicals
- Acquired renal cysts in those with end stage renal disease
- Occupational factors, for example, firefighters have an unavoidable exposure to certain carcinogens
Despite the illness being on the rise, outcomes are better than ever.
“While for most patients advanced kidney cancer is still incurable, when I first went into the field, they would only live an average of one year,” says Dr Campbell.
“Now they quite often will live three to four years. And many of them will live much longer than that—some eight to 10 years, and a small percentage will essentially get cured by these medications.”
So, what are the symptoms of kidney cancer?
Mayo Clinic writes that kidney cancer doesn't usually cause any symptoms at first.
However, over time, some may develop - including three that are rather subtle.
These include a loss of appetite, tiredness and unexplained weight loss.
More obvious sings might manifest as a pain in the side or back, which doesn't go away and blood in the urine, which can turn pee pink, red or cola colored.
It's important to contact your doctor should you have any symptoms or concerns about kidney cancer.
Lucy Devine