Cancer is a group of diseases due to abnormal cell growth with the probability and potential to spread and invade to other parts of the body. Some possible signs and symptoms include a lump, prolonged cough, abnormal bleeding, unexplained weight loss and a change in bowel movements. Other than these there are also other causes and symptoms. Kidney cancer is the result of cancer affecting the Kidneys.
Causes of Cancer
The use of tobacco is the cause of about 22% of deaths due to cancer and another 10% is because of poor diet, obesity, excessive drinking, lack of physical activity, etc. Other factors may include environmental pollutants, exposure to ionizing radiation and certain infections.
15 percent of cancers are a result of infections such as hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Helicobacter pylori, Epstein-Barr virus, human papillomavirus infection and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These factors basically act partly, by causing a change in the genes of the cell.
Determining Kidney cancer
Kidneys are two bean-shaped organs about the size of our fist present in our body.
Renal cell carcinoma is the most prevalent type of kidney cancer in grown-ups. Whereas, the Wilms tumor is the growth of cancerous cells in the kidney most likely happening to children. However, nowadays the chances of kidney cancer seem to be increasing day by day. One of the main reasons behind this may be the use of CT (computerized tomography) scans more often.
These tests might lead to the accidental discovery of more kidney cancers. Kidney cancer is generally found at an early stage in many cases when the tumors are actually small and confined to the kidney. When detected earlier they are easier to treat.
Kidney cancer symptoms
At an early stage kidney cancer symptoms might not be seen, detected or become evident. In the absence of symptoms routine tests are also not conducted. However, during the last stage the signs and kidney cancer symptoms may include:
- Red or pink-colored blood in the urine
- Abnormal pain in your back and side
- A loss of appetite
- A weight loss that is sudden and unexpected
- Tiredness
- A fever, which usually comes and goes
The factors that might increase the risk of kidney cancer
- Older age: The risk of this cancer increases with age.
- Smoking habit: smokers have a high risk of cancer however, the risk generally decreases when one quits smoking.
- Obesity: People who are obese have a high risk of cancer.
- Hypertension or high blood pressure: high blood pressure increases someone’s risk of kidney cancer
- Exposure to cadmium or specific herbicides.
- A family history of kidney cancer: Sometimes people inherit with certain syndromes
One must go to a doctor (oncologist suggested in this case) in case of the above signs and symptoms are seen. Preventing many cancers can be easier at early stages by some simple measures like not smoking, not drinking too much alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a lot of fresh vegetables and fruits, not smoking.
Also, getting a vaccination against certain diseases which are infectious, avoiding too much sunlight, eating less red meat and processed food, especially meat.