PHILADELPHIA, PA — March is Kidney Cancer Awareness Month, a time when organizations like MidLantic Urology make an extra effort to educate the public about this serious disease. It’s an opportunity to learn more about how our kidneys work, the risk factors for kidney cancer, and the latest treatment options.
These two fist-sized organs are among the hardest working in our bodies. In a single day, your kidneys filter approximately 52 gallons of fluid, removing toxins and extra water from your blood. That’s about the amount of water that fills up a bathtub.
Despite their vital role, many people take their kidneys for granted. This oversight can be costly, as kidney cancer ranks among the top 10 most common cancers in both men and women in the U.S. It’s estimated that there will be over 80,000 new cases of kidney cancer in 2024, resulting in nearly 15,000 deaths.
Recognizing Risk Factors
Kidney cancer often doesn’t cause pain or other symptoms in its early stages, making it difficult to catch without routine screenings. Unfortunately, such screenings aren’t readily available. However, imaging tests may be recommended for those at high risk, which makes discussing personal risk with a healthcare provider essential.
Those most likely to be diagnosed with kidney cancer are between the ages of 65-74. It’s less common in people under the age of 45. Men are twice as likely to develop kidney cancer than women. The disease is also more prevalent in Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native populations.
People with a strong family history of kidney cancer are at higher risk, as are those exposed to certain chemicals, especially trichloroethylene.
Innovative Treatments
The landscape of kidney cancer treatments is rapidly changing thanks to powerful new medications and minimally invasive surgical techniques.
Immunotherapies harness the body’s natural defenses to combat cancer, much like our immune system battles other illnesses. Cancer cells can trick our immune system into thinking they’re normal cells by depositing a unique protein that disguises them. However, new medications can attack this protein, remove it, and make the cancer cells recognizable to our immune system again.
Minimally invasive and robotic surgery techniques allow doctors to see the boundaries of cancer cells and preserve as many healthy kidney cells as possible. This has led to more partial nephrectomies, which only remove part of a diseased kidney, versus radical nephrectomies, which involve removing the entire kidney.
Urologists play a crucial role in a kidney cancer care team, treating the disease while helping to best preserve kidney function. They work with patients to tailor treatment plans based on individual needs. For some, surgery may be the best option, while others might benefit more from drug therapy or active surveillance.
Prevention is Key
While these developments in treatment are revolutionary, prevention remains our best weapon against kidney cancer. Many kidney cancers’ causes remain unknown, but several risk factors have been identified, including smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Living a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a balanced diet are among the most effective preventative measures. It’s also important to have regular discussions with a urologist to understand your risk factors and to prevent, diagnose, and treat kidney cancer effectively.
MidLantic Urology continues to be a valuable resource for information and support during Kidney Cancer Awareness Month and beyond. Their commitment to patient education and community awareness highlights the importance of understanding this prevalent disease and the steps we can take to protect our hard-working kidneys.
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