If you’ve been experiencing unusual symptoms or have concerns about your kidney health, you might be wondering about your risk of developing kidney cancer.Â
Understanding how common kidney cancer is, who it affects most, and what factors influence your risk can help put your concerns into perspective and guide you towards appropriate screening and preventive measures.
Kidney cancer statistics in the UK
Kidney cancer is more common than many people realise. In the UK, approximately 13,000 people are diagnosed with kidney cancer each year, making it the seventh most common cancer overall. It accounts for around 3% of all cancer diagnoses in the country.
The condition is more prevalent in men than women, with men being nearly twice as likely to develop kidney cancer. It’s also more commonly diagnosed in older adults, with most cases occurring in people over the age of 60. However, kidney cancer can affect people of any age, including younger adults.
Over the past few decades, the number of kidney cancer cases has been gradually increasing. This rise is partly due to better detection methods, such as improved imaging technology that can identify smaller tumours, and partly due to lifestyle and demographic factors.
Who is most at risk of kidney cancer?
Whilst anyone can develop kidney cancer, certain factors increase your likelihood.
- Age: Age is a significant factor, as the risk increases substantially after 50 and peaks between 60 and 70 years old.
- Smoking: Smoking is one of the most significant modifiable risk factors, roughly doubling your risk of developing kidney cancer.
- Weight: Obesity and being overweight also increase risk, as excess body weight can affect hormone levels and kidney function.
- Blood pressure: High blood pressure, whether controlled or uncontrolled, is associated with an increased risk.
- Kidney disease: Additionally, people with chronic kidney disease or those who have undergone long-term dialysis face a higher chance of developing kidney cancer.
- Genetics: Genetic factors play a role in some cases. People with certain inherited conditions, such as von Hippel-Lindau disease or hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma, have a significantly elevated risk.
Having a family history of kidney cancer can also increase your likelihood, though most cases occur in people with no family history.
Early detection and symptoms
One of the challenges with kidney cancer is that it often doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages. Many cases are discovered incidentally during scans or tests performed for unrelated health concerns.
When symptoms do appear, they may include blood in the urine, persistent kidney pain in your back or side, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, or a fever that comes and goes. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult your GP promptly.
The importance of awareness
Whilst kidney cancer is relatively common, the good news is that survival rates have improved significantly over recent years. When detected early, kidney cancer is often highly treatable. Five-year survival rates for kidney cancer diagnosed at an early stage are considerably better than for more advanced cases.
Being aware of potential symptoms and seeking medical advice when something doesn’t feel right is crucial. Whilst many symptoms could be caused by less serious conditions, getting them checked ensures that if kidney cancer is present, it can be detected and treated as early as possible.
Always consult with a urologist or healthcare professional for personalised advice about kidney cancer risk, screening, and symptoms.
Related reading: What Are The Chances Of Kidney Cancer Spreading?
