The kidney is a sensitive organ and one of the major diseases that can affect the kidney is cancer. Kidney Cancer, also known as renal cancer, is a disease that starts in the kidneys. It happens when healthy cells in one or both kidneys grow out of control.
The kidney is a very delicate organ in our body that needs utmost care and attention. It is saddled with many functions such as removing waste products from the body, removing drugs from the body, balancing the body’s fluids, releasing hormones that regulate blood pressure, producing an active form of vitamin D that promotes strong, healthy bones, etc.
There are certain signs your body gives you when you have kidney cancer. Some of them include; Blood in the urine (hematuria); low back pain on one side (not caused by injury); a mass (lump) on the side or lower back; fatigue (tiredness); loss of appetite; weight loss is not caused by dieting and fever that is not caused by an infection and that doesn’t go away.
There are certain things you consume that can cause kidney cancer. Some of them include;
- Tobacco products
Smoking tobacco products can seriously increase your risk of kidney cancer. Smoking increases the risk of developing renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The increased risk seems to be related to how much you smoke. The risk drops if you stop smoking, but it takes many years to get to the risk level of someone who never smoked. Reduce the level of tobacco products you smoke to stay healthy.
- Pain killers
Abuse of painkillers is dangerous and can cause kidney cancer. People who regularly take painkillers such as ibuprofen and naproxen may be at higher risk of kidney cancer, according to new research. The findings suggest that the longer someone uses such drugs, called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, or NSAIDs, the higher their risk of kidney cancer. Reduce the number of painkillers you consume to stay healthy.
- Red meat
This is another food that can cause kidney cancer due to its high amount of saturated fat. The risk of kidney cancer is increased by eating red meat and grilled and pan-fried foods, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Try to minimize the amount of red meat you consume.