Diseases and conditions Prevention, daily life, and wellbeing Kidney diseases and conditions Disease prevention Kidney cancer
May 15, 2017
Kidney cancer is a disease that most often starts in the kidneys. It happens when healthy cells in one or both kidneys turn cancerous to form a lump (called a tumor) and can often go undetected as it lacks signs and symptoms. Here are five ways you can reduce your risk for developing kidney cancer:
- Don’t smoke
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Find out if you’re exposed to certain toxins at work or at home. Some toxins that may increase the risk for kidney cancer include cadmium, asbestos, and trichloroethylene.
- Take care of your kidneys – people with kidney disease may be at increased risk for kidney cancer:
- Ask your healthcare provider about two simple tests to find out your kidney function
- Avoid prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen.
- Control high blood pressure.
- Control your blood sugar if you have diabetes.
- Be aware of certain risk factors that can’t be changed, but should be followed up on:
- Family history of kidney cancer
- Certain diseases you may have been born with, such as von Hippel-Lindau disease
To learn more about kidney cancer, its symptoms and how to treat it, check out our latest patient resource and brochure.
