17 Mar Why Kidney Diseases Cases Are on The Rise?

Kidney cancer, also known as renal cancer, is considered to be the 14th most common cancer around the world, with China, the United States, and Russia having the greatest number of cases in 2022, according to the World Cancer Research Fund.  

During the same year, the countries with the most deaths in 2022 were China, India, and the United States.  

Despite having a lower rank when it comes to the commonality of the disease, it was found that kidney cancer cases are rising at 400,000 new cases annually worldwide.  

Oxford Academic reported that low-and middle-income countries bear an excessive burden of the disease. These countries also face later diagnoses and higher mortality rates.  

How Is Kidney Cancer Diagnosed?  

Kidney cancer does not always show any symptoms during the early stages of the disease. People get a diagnosis by getting a different health screening for another health issue.  

As it continues to develop, you may notice symptoms such as:  

• Blood in the urine  

• Pain in the back or side that won’t go away  

• A lump in the side or lower back  

• Fatigue  

• Sudden weight loss  

• Swelling in the ankles or legs  

• Night sweats  

Your doctor or care team will do several tests to look at the condition of your kidney, including:  

• Urine test  

• Blood test  

• Imaging tests, such as:  

• Ultrasound  

• CT scan (computed tomography)  

• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)  

• Biopsy  

Like any type of cancer, kidney cancer happens due to an abnormal cell mutation. These changes happen without any certain reason.   

You can increase your chances of getting the disease with the following risk factors:  

• Older age, with people aged 65 to 74 being the ones usually affected  

• Long-term dialysis  

• Family medical history  

• High blood pressure  

• Inherited disorders that can cause tumors in your kidneys, such as von Hippel-Lindau disease and tuberous sclerosis syndrome    

• Obesity  

• Smoking  

Increase in Kidney Cancer Cases  

The rise in kidney cancer cases is mostly due to the prevalence of chronic diseases that are caused by a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy habits such as smoking, excessive drinking, and an unbalanced diet.  

Advancements in the medical industry also allow healthcare professionals to have better diagnostic tools, leading to early detection of cancer, even in asymptomatic patients.  

To lower your risk of getting kidney cancer, manage your blood pressure and continue to eat healthy, exercise regularly, quit smoking, and drink moderately.