Increased Risk of Kidney Cancer

Last updated: Jul 17, 2008

	Increased Risk of Kidney Cancer

Signs, symptoms & indicators of Increased Risk of Kidney Cancer:

	Symptoms - Urinary   Having blood in urine

Risk factors for Increased Risk of Kidney Cancer:

	Environment / Toxicity   Cigarette Smoke Damage   Smokers develop renal cell carcinoma about twice as often as nonsmokers and develop cancer of the renal pelvis about 4 times as often.   Heavy Metal Toxicity   Studies have shown that exposure to certain substances increases the risk of RCC. Cadmium, formerly an ingredient in certain colored inks and paints, has been linked to kidney cancer. Family History   Increased risk of kidney cancer   A study suggests that there may be an inherited contribution to ordinary kidney cancer, and that ordinary kidney cancer may run in families. The investigators studied all individuals who developed kidney cancer in Iceland since 1945. Surprisingly, many of the individuals who had developed kidney cancer had one or more relatives who had also developed kidney cancer. The relatives who developed kidney cancer were close relatives (parents or siblings) in some families, while in other families the relatives who developed kidney cancer were distant relatives (cousins). Metabolic   Problem Caused By Being Overweight   A high-fat diet and obesity may increase the risk for RCC. Symptoms - Cancer   History of kidney cancer Symptoms - Food - Beverages   (High) coffee consumption   Studies linking coffee consumption with cancer are conflicting and inconclusive at this point, but there is a suggestion of a higher incidence of cancers of the pancreas, ovaries, bladder, and kidneys in coffee drinkers.

Increased Risk of Kidney Cancer can lead to:

	Risks   Cancer / Risk Reduction - General Measures

Recommendations for Increased Risk of Kidney Cancer:

	Diet   Caffeine/Coffee Avoidance   Studies linking coffee consumption with cancer are conflicting and inconclusive at this point, but there is a suggestion of a higher incidence of cancers of the pancreas, ovaries, bladder, and kidneys in coffee drinkers. Habits   Tobacco Avoidance   Not smoking is the most effective way to prevent kidney cancer and it is estimated that the elimination of smoking would reduce the rate of renal pelvis cancer by one-half and the rate of renal cell carcinoma by one-third. Lab Tests/Rule-Outs   Test AMAS (AntiMalignin Antibody Screen)

KEY

		Weak or unproven link
		Strong or generally accepted link
		Proven definite or direct link
		May do some good
		Highly recommended