According to healthline The kidneys, which are two bean-shaped organs in the abdominal cavity, are responsible for filtering waste products from the blood and producing urine. Most kidney cancers start in the renal cells that line the capillaries that filter the blood....CONTINUE READING
About 51,200 people in the US are diagnosed with kidney cancer every year, with 85 percent of those instances being due to renal cell cancer.
Due to higher rates of smoking and occupational carcinogen exposure, men are approximately twice as likely as women to develop cancer. African-Americans have a somewhat higher risk than those of other races of developing kidney cancer.
Kidney cancer symptoms include blood in the urine, chronic side pain, a lump or tumor in the side or belly, unexplained weight loss, fever, and extreme fatigue. Patients exhibiting these symptoms should see a doctor to rule out kidney cancer as a possible cause.
The following are risk factors for getting kidney cancer, as listed by WebMD.
1. Tobacco use.
The risk of developing kidney cancer is significantly raised by smoking cigarettes, which is now recognized as a leading contributor to the disease. Tobacco smoke and other carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) can enter the bloodstream when inhaled.
Kidney cells are not immune to the harmful effects of these chemicals. The kidneys filter out these chemicals from the circulation. Constant contact with chemicals leads to irritation and damage, which in turn raises the risk of cancer.
2. Being exposed to poisonous substances.
The use of asbestos, chemical solvents, and cadmium are all common in particular fields of work. The kidneys may be responsible for filtering substances that cause discomfort or injury if inhaled or swallowed.
3. Carrying excess fat around one’s body.
One’s risk of developing kidney cancer is raised if their body mass index (BMI) is 25 kg/m2 or higher, or if it’s 30 kg/m2 or higher.
Changes in hormone levels brought on by obesity have been linked in some research to an increased risk of developing renal cell carcinoma. Therefore, a healthy diet and regular exercise are essential for reducing this risk.
