Often goes unnoticed: Three warning signs of kidney cancer you should take seriously

Kidney cancer is one of the rarer types of cancer – approximately 15,000 people in Germany are newly diagnosed with it each year. It affects men more often than women, usually at an older age. The insidious aspect is that kidney cancer often develops slowly and initially causes no pain or noticeable symptoms. Doctors discover more than half of these tumors by chance during an ultrasound examination, perhaps during a routine checkup or to investigate other conditions.

Therefore, it's important to pay attention to subtle warning signs from the body. Early diagnosis can significantly improve the chances of recovery.

"Patients with kidney cancer may have symptoms, but they don't necessarily have to," explains the Cancer Information Service of the German Cancer Research Center. Common symptoms of kidney cancer include:

• Pain in the kidney area and side that can radiate to the back.
• Blood in the urine: Visible blood in the urine is always a reason to see a doctor. It's one of the most common symptoms of kidney cancer, but it can also have other causes.
• Palpable tumor : Larger tumors may even be palpable, such as a solid mass in the abdomen. However, this is rare.

These symptoms often only appear in later stages, but should not be ignored at that point.

If one or more of these symptoms occur—especially over a longer period of time—a visit to your family doctor or urologist is advisable. Urine and blood tests, ultrasound, or computed tomography (CT) scans can help determine the cause. Those who react early and seek medical advice have a significantly better chance of successful treatment.

Risk factors for kidney cancer include:

• Smoke
• High blood pressure that is not adequately treated
• Obesity
• family history
• chronic renal failure
• long-term dialysis (patients with chronic kidney failure are particularly at risk)

1. Don't smoke. Tobacco smoke is the number one risk factor. Its numerous carcinogenic substances promote the development of lung tumors, dramatically increasing the risk of cancer of the mouth and throat, as well as of the larynx and esophagus, and liver.
2. Avoid being overweight Long-term studies have found that being overweight increases the risk of colon cancer, esophageal cancer and breast cancer in particular.
3. Exercise daily People who sit on the sofa for between three and four hours a day have a 15 percent increased risk of cancer and heart disease.
4. Eat fresh fruit and vegetables five a day – this recommendation from the German Nutrition Society, which advises us to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables, is also a simple anti-cancer rule.
5. Drink little alcohol Two drinks a day for men, one drink for women: This is the guideline recommended by the European Cancer Code regarding alcohol.
6. Avoid highly processed meat and sausages. WHO scientists recommend eating less of these to reduce the risk of cancer. The dietary recommendation is 300 to 600 grams of meat and sausage per week.
7. Protect yourself from the sun . UV rays are a Category 1 carcinogen. The sun is clearly the main risk factor for skin cancer, which can easily be blocked with sunscreen.
8. Avoid carcinogenic substances. These include fine dust or ionizing radiation, such as that produced during medical examinations. Therefore, avoid long walks when particulate matter levels are high in your city, and ask critical questions about whether X-rays are really necessary.
9. Get vaccinated against hepatitis B. Hepatocellular carcinoma often develops after infection with hepatitis B or C. This is especially true for children.
10. Breastfeed your child. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of cancer in mothers. Hormone replacement therapy increases the risk of certain cancers.
11. Get checked out . Early detection and screening programs are essential, especially for colon cancer, breast cancer, and cervical cancer.