Risk Factors
Certain factors may increase the chance of developing kidney cancer, though these factors do not directly cause cancer. Some people with multiple risk factors never develop kidney cancer while others who do not have any risk factors do develop kidney cancer. Although some risk factors cannot be changed, such as a person’s age or family history, there are some things you can do to help lower your risk, such as not smoking.
The average male has approximately a 2 percent chance of developing kidney cancer, and the average female has a 1 percent chance.
Less than 10 percent of kidney cancers are driven by genetic factors while over 90 percent of risk is environmental.
Early detection is important, so be sure to talk with your doctor about your risk factors. They include:
- Cigarette smoking
- Obesity
- Age (generally 50 years and older)
- Gender (twice as common in men)
- High blood pressure
- Family history of kidney cancer
- Workplace exposures to certain substances, such as trichloroethylene
- Certain medicines, such as water pills (diuretics) and over-the-counter pain medicines, including acetaminophen, aspirin and ibuprofen
- Diet high in red/sautéed/fried meat or dairy
Learn more about risk factors.
Symptoms
Patients with early-stage kidney cancer might not show symptoms. Most symptoms develop when the cancer has advanced or spread to other organs. Symptoms may include:
- Blood in the urine
- Constant pain in the side or lower back
- A lump in the abdomen (on the side or lower back)
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss, fever or fatigue
- Anemia
- Swelling in ankles and legs
- Mass or lump on the side or lower back
Speak with your doctor if you are experiencing any new, unexplained or changing symptoms. These symptoms can have other causes, many of which are non-cancerous. Although having symptoms does not mean you have kidney cancer, it is important to discuss any health concerns with your doctor who can help address your concerns and check for those other possible conditions as well as for kidney cancer.
Learn more about symptoms.
Prevention
Although kidney cancers cannot be prevented, you can reduce your risk by not smoking and maintaining a healthy weight.
