Kidney cancer is a lesser-known type of cancer that’s often only picked up on treatment and screening for unrelated symptoms
Each year, nearly 14,000 Brits receive a kidney cancer diagnosis. Despite the disease having a good prognosis if detected early, many people dismiss initial symptoms, resulting in late-stage diagnoses.
Hazel Jackson, a healthcare professional nurse at Kidney Cancer UK, highlighted that explaining potential symptoms can be challenging as they vary between individuals and can be subtle, easily mistaken for less serious conditions.
Key symptoms include persistent lower back pain, blood in urine, which can range from light pink to red or even a “cola-like colour”, unexplained weight loss, constant fatigue, and persistent night sweats. These symptoms are not exclusive to kidney cancer and can indicate other types of cancer or serious health conditions.
Nurse Hazel has issued a stern warning about the often undetected threat of kidney cancer, highlighting that it can sneak up unsuspectingly, often only caught during tests for other ailments or emergency visits. She emphasised the extreme importance of recognising key symptoms – pointing out the harsh reality that “In many cases, kidney cancer is only discovered through tests for unrelated conditions or a visit to A&E. It is important to note you may not experience all the key symptoms and may in fact only have 1 or 2.”
She advises that while these symptoms can indicate other health issues, it’s crucial to connect the dots and seek medical advice swiftly: “While these signs can be signs of other conditions, it’s important to link them together and contact your GP promptly if you do experience them. Early detection can make a significant difference in the treatment and outcome of any cancer diagnosis.”
Further intensifying the urgency, Kidney Cancer UK pointed out certain individuals are more at risk and should be particularly vigilant. The charity mentioned that the older population, especially men – who face double the risk compared to women – should be on high alert.
Lifestyle factors like obesity, smoking, and high consumption of red and processed meats markedly elevate the danger, whereas a diet rich in fruits, veggies, and fibre could potentially shield against the disease. Surprisingly, seemingly unrelated health quirks, like having a personal or family history of Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, or hereditary clear cell and papillary renal cell carcinoma, might also ramp up your kidney cancer risk.
