Kidney Cancer Prevention

While researchers are still working to better understand what causes kidney cancer, it’s believed that many renal cancers are caused by modifiable risk factors, such as smoking and obesity. Kidney cancer is on the rise worldwide, which means it’s more important than ever to familiarize yourself with kidney cancer prevention strategies.

It’s not exactly clear what causes kidney cancer, although researchers are learning more each day. As with other types of cancer, renal cancer develops when abnormal cells grow out of control. This is generally caused by changes to a cell’s genetic structure, also called genetic mutations. Some mutations are inherited, meaning they run in families, but most gene mutations that lead to kidney cancer are caused by environmental factors, such as alcohol and tobacco use, obesity and radiation exposure. Having a certain inheritable genetic mutation can substantially increase a person’s risk for developing kidney cancer. However, only a small percentage of kidney cancers are due to hereditary risk factors. Most kidney cancers occur in people with no family history of the disease.

The following kidney cancer risk factors can affect your chances of developing a type of kidney cancer called renal cell carcinoma. This type of kidney cancer is the most prevalent, accounting for upwards of 90% of renal cancers.

Sex. Kidney cancer affects approximately twice as many men as it does women in the U.S.

Smoking. People who smoke tobacco products are at much greater risk for kidney cancer when compared with nonsmokers. The risk appears to be closely related to how much a person smokes. Quitting can reduce a person’s risk of kidney cancer over time.

Obesity. Being overweight increases a person’s risk for kidney cancer. This may have something to do with hormone changes associated with obesity.

High blood pressure. People with hypertension, or high blood pressure, are at increased risk for kidney cancer, even if they control their hypertension with medication.

Family history. People with a sibling who has kidney cancer are more likely to develop the disease than those without any family history of renal cancer.

Inherited genetic traits. Certain inherited traits, such as Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome and tuberous sclerosis, greatly increase a person’s risk for renal cancer. These inheritable risk factors are rare.

The first step to take toward kidney cancer prevention is to never smoke. Other strategies that may reduce your risk include:

• Maintaining a body mass index below 25
• Being physically active every day
• Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables
• Taking steps to keep your blood pressure under control, such as eating a low-sodium diet

Winship researchers are dedicated to curing cancer through our extensive research program, which goes beyond developing novel therapies to treat the disease. In fact, colleagues at the Rollins School of Public Health are involved in research to better understand and prevent all obesity-related cancers, including kidney cancer.