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Risk Reduction of Renal Cell Carcinoma

Approximately 9 out of every 10 cases of kidney cancer are renal cell carcinomas, making it the most common type of kidney cancer in the United States. Generally, renal cell carcinoma is asymptomatic, without symptoms, until advanced stages. Patients should attempt to avoid controllable risk factors, and should discuss screening for the cancer if at risk.

  1. Abusing Non-Prescription Medications

    • Overdosing on certain over-the-counter medications, including Tylenol, aspirin and acetaminophen, can increase the risk of kidney cancer. An overdose is considered to be more than the daily recommended dose for an over-the-counter medication. If a person overdoses consistently over a period of years, his risk of renal cell carcinoma increases.

    Obesity

    • Those who are overweight or obese may have a higher risk of developing renal cell carcinoma. According to the American Cancer Society, doctors speculate that approximately 2 in 10 cases of renal cell carcinoma are caused by obesity, and/or hormone changes that are a result of being obese. Thus, loosing weight can be a form of risk reduction for renal cell carcinoma.

    Exposure to Dangerous Substances

    • Exposure to certain substances is also a risk factor in developing renal cell carcinoma. Substances specifically identified as increasing the risk of renal cell carcinoma include exposure to asbestos, cadmium, herbicides, benzene, and trichloreothylene. Even brief exposure can increase the risk of cancer; however, prolonged exposure exponentially increases that risk. Avoiding exposure to these substances can reduce your risk of developing renal cell carcinoma.

    Certain Medicines

    • Certain medications can also increase your chances of developing renal cell carcinoma. The American Cancer Society suggests that some medications used to treat high blood pressure may be linked to renal cell carcinoma. However, the American Cancer society suggests that the link between the medicines and cancer is speculative and warns against refusing high blood pressure medication to reduce the risk of developing renal cell carcinoma.

    Smoking

    • Although smoking is more commonly associated with lung cancer, smoking is also a risk factor of renal cell carcinoma. The more a person smokes, the more the habit increases his chances of developing renal cell carcinoma. Thus, those who wish to reduce the risk of developing renal cell carcinoma should quit smoking. It may take many years to bring the risk level down to that of a non-smoker, but eventually all risk will be reduced.

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