Reducing the Risk of Kidney Cancer
Although some of the risk factors for kidney cancer, such as a family history of the disease, are unavoidable, there are some simple things you can do to reduce your chances of being affected. The best ways to protect yourself against kidney care are to:
- Lose any excess weight
- Give up or avoid smoking
- Keep your blood pressure down by eating a healthy diet that is low in salt, exercising regularly and seeking treatment if it gets too high
All of these will also help to improve your general health and to protect you against other forms of cancer too, including bladder and lung cancer.
Symptoms of Kidney Cancer
The most characteristic signs of kidney cancer can include:
- Blood in your urine, which may appear red or as a darker brown colour
- Pain in your side or lower back
- A lump or swelling in your side
Other symptoms can include:
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Swelling of the veins in the testicles, for men