What Increases The Risk of Kidney Cancer?
Your kidneys are the two bean-shaped organs that tirelessly filter your blood. They are vital components of the urinary system, filtering approximately 200 quarts of fluid daily—enough to fill a large bathtub. Research indicates that most people urinate about two quarts daily while the body reabsorbs the other 198 quarts of fluid. Additionally, your kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of your body’s fluids (primarily water) and electrolytes, including essential minerals like sodium and potassium.
However, in recent times, kidney health is increasingly at risk due to the rising number of diagnoses of kidney cancer. To inform you about kidney cancer, we’re back with this blog. We have recently spoken with Dr. Niren Rao at Delhi Urology Hospital, renowned as the premier facility for kidney cancer treatment in Delhi. So, let’s start!
What Are The Risk Factors For Kidney Cancer?
Varied risk factors increase a person’s chance of developing kidney cancer. Though risk factors usually influence the development of cancer, they do not directly cause cancer. Still, the most common risk factors causing kidney cancer are:
- Smoking: Smoking frequently doubles the risk of kidney cancer. It is believed to cause about 30% of kidney cancers in men and 25% in women.
- Sex: Men are three times more likely to develop kidney cancer than women.
- Age: Kidney cancer is typically found in adults and diagnosed between the ages of 50 and 70.
- Nutrition and Weight: Research says there is a strong connection between kidney cancer and obesity.
- High Blood Pressure: People dealing with hypertension, also called high blood pressure, are more likely to develop kidney cancer.
- Overdose of Certain Medications: Overdose of painkillers containing phenacetin can increase the risk of kidney cancer.
- Exposure to Cadmium: As per the research, there is a strong connection between the metallic element cadmium and kidney cancer. Working with batteries, paints, or welding materials may increase a person’s risk of kidney cancer.
- Chronic Kidney Disease: People already dealing with kidney disorders are more at high risk of kidney cancer.
- Long-term Dialysis: People who have been on dialysis for a long period may develop cancerous cysts in their kidneys.
- Family History of Kidney Cancer: People having a strong family history of conditions are more prone to develop kidney cancer.
What Steps Can You Follow To Prevent Risk of Kidney Cancer?
Different factors lead to different types of cancer. There is no proven way to prevent kidney cancer, but you can follow some steps to reduce the risk. The steps to follow are:
- Manage your blood pressure
- Quit smoking
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Eat a low-fat diet high in fruits and vegetables
The above-listed steps can only help to prevent kidney cancer risk, and for a more permanent solution, you need to opt for medical treatment for kidney cancer, and they are:
What Treatments Are Available For Kidney Cancer?
- Radical Nephrectomy: This surgery is performed to remove an entire kidney. However, the urologist often also takes out part of the tube called the ureter that connects the kidney to the bladder, the gland that sits atop the kidney (adrenal gland), and some nearby lymph nodes.
- Partial Nephrectomy: Also called Kidney-sparing or nephron-sparing surgery, this surgery is performed to remove part of a kidney. The surgeon removes diseased or injured tissue from a kidney and leaves healthy tissue in place instead.
Final Words
Your kidneys work to filter your blood and remove waste from your body. They also help to balance your body’s fluids and electrolytes. Hence, being the body’s vital organ, it is necessary to monitor its overall health condition. So, make sure you undergo regular testing and consult a urologist to determine your kidney’s health.
You can consult the top Urology doctor in Delhi, Dr. Niren Rao, at Delhi Urology Hospital. With over 20 years of experience, he has performed numerous successful treatments. So, get your diagnosis done today by booking your appointment with Dr. Niren Rao at Delhi Urology Hospital today.