Kidney cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the kidneys. This cancer is of varying types. In most adults, the most common type of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma. While children are more likely to develop a different type of kidney cancer called Wilms tumor.
What are the Different Types of Kidney Cancers?
a. Renal Cell Cancer: Also known as Renal cell adenocarcinoma, is the most common type of kidney cancer and usually occurs in adults. Renal cell cancer occurs when the cancerous cells begin in the lining of the tubules which are necessary in the filtering of blood and production of urine.
b. Transitional Cell: This cancer begins in the cells located in the transitional lining of the renal pelvis. The renal pelvis is where your ureter connects to the main part of your kidney. Based on statistics, transitional cell carcinoma is observed in about 6% to 7% of all kidney cancer cases. However, transitional cell carcinoma can occur in your bladder or ureters.
c. Wilms Tumor: This type of kidney cancer develops in children more than in adults. Every year in the UK, around 80 children are diagnosed with Wilms tumor. However, it accounts for 5% of kidney cancers.
What are Some Common Causes?
• Smoking: Smokers have a greater potential of experiencing kidney cancer than people who do not. This is because of the intake of harmful chemicals from smoking cigarettes or pipes which are capable of damaging the kidney.
• Family History: Kidney cancer can be hereditary. There are high chance that when close family members have experienced kidney cancer, other members of the family may also develop the cancer.
• Radiation Therapy: The use of radiation therapy in the treatment of women with cancer of the reproductive organs may result in an increased risk of developing kidney cancer.
• High Blood Pressure: It has been observed that high blood pressure may increase the chances of developing kidney cancer.
• Long-term Dialysis: While dialysis may serve as a management/treatment for kidney-related issues, long-term dialysis in the treatment of kidney failure may give rise to the development of kidney cancer.
What are the Signs and Symptoms?
There are no signs and symptoms of kidney cancer in its early stage. However, as the condition progresses, some of these symptoms may be observed, they include:
Blood in the urine, which may appear pink, red, or cola in color
Persistent back pain
Loss of appetite
Unintentional weight loss
Tiredness
Fever
What are Some Risk Factors?
a. Smoking: Smokers are at a higher risk of kidney cancer than non-smokers. But the risk reduces once you quit.
b. Old Age: Aging is a risk factor for many diseases as the immune system may be too weak to defend the body. Hence, kidney cancer increases with age.
c. High Blood Pressure: Hypertension can increase your risk of developing kidney cancer.
d. Family History: In most cases, when a close family member develops kidney cancer, there is a high risk of the cancer to other members of the family.
How is the Diagnosis Made?
There are different procedures used to diagnose kidney cancer. They include:
Blood and urine tests
Renal mass biopsy
Ultrasound
Magnetic resonance imaging
CT scan
How to Prevent Kidney Cancer?
By taking preventive measures, you can reduce your risk of kidney cancer. To prevent kidney cancer, you must:
1) Quit Smoking: While this habit can be very difficult to quit, there are support groups and medications that can facilitate your recovery.
2) Maintain a Healthy Weight: Your body weight impacts your overall well-being in many ways. Therefore, if you're obese or overweight, reduce your calorie intake and engage in physical activities to keep you in good shape.
3) Control High Blood Pressure: As stated earlier, high blood pressure can increase your risk of kidney cancer. So, it is advised that you check your blood pressure often.
Self-Care Tips:
Top 10 and anti cancer foods:
Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables.
Cruciferous vegetables contain sulforphane which helps to inhibit certain carcinogens. Sulfur containing foods are excellent sources of foods in the fight against cancer. These foods are also known to inhibit cancer cell growth.
Cruciferous vegetables include cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, bok choy, collard greens, kale, and broccoli. These are high in B vitamins, magnesium, and polyphenols, which can slow the growth of cancer cells.
Stay away from these vegetables: Nightshade foods contain a product called Solanine, which is thought to worsen arthritis and inflammation. Additionally, nightshade products are high in lectins. Lectins associated with the inflammation, and remember inflammation result in disease.
Common nightshade, products include tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, and bell peppers. A few notable exceptions to the nightshade family that tends to decrease inflammation are goji berries, and purple potatoes. People with rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory disorders should minimize the amount of lectin products in their diet.
Allium family.
Foods of this family are often high in sulfa compounds and flavonoids which are well-known for their anti-cancer properties, as well as preventing the growth and spread of several cancers. Foods in this arena would include onions, garlic, scallions, leeks, and chives. Garlic has shown to slow or stop the growth of tumors in the prostate, bladder, colon, and stomach tissue, as well as protect against skin and lung cancer. Garlic specifically known to block and halt the activation of cancer-causing substance and marked reduction in cancer cells spreading.
Dark green, leafy vegetables.
Leafy green vegetables are an abundant source of folate, which helps stabilize DNA information and could also repair DNA. These vegetables are also high in Beta Carotene, and zeaxanthin which are powerful antioxidants. Some of these foods include broccoli, kale, and cabbage.
Fruits/Berries. Blueberries and blackberries contain ellagic acid which is a wonderful antioxidants that is known to inhibit tumor growth. They are full of polynutrients and antioxidants. Berries on a whole have been associated with cancer impedance, apoptosis/programmed cell death, and also limit the spread of cancers. Some other berries include raspberries, and strawberries.
Say NO to these: grapes, mangoes, watermelon. Although grapes are high in resveratrol they are also very high in sugar which causes inflammatory in origin. Also reduce consumption of fruit juices, dried fruits and canned fruits as they’re also turning heart in fructose, corn syrup, and carbs. Many dried fruits and fruit juices contain added sugar, which may offset any potential fiber health benefits.
Herbs and spices.
Ginger and turmeric are two of the most powerful anti-inflammatory spices one could eat. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, which is known to be lethal to cancer. Curcumin may is known to block cancer cells from multiplying and in some instances may kill colon, breast, prostate, and melanoma cancer cells. Curcumin can decrease inflammation and help the body detect and destroy mutated cells. Ginger along with turmeric are known to target and inhibit various cancer pathways. Ginger can inhibit growth of certain cancer cells by interrupting their cell-cycle progression, and impairing cancer reproduction.
Cinnamon is another powerful spice, which helps to limit the progression of cancer by inducing apoptosis/program cell death. Cinnamon is also known to reduce cancer size in several models.
Nuts.
True nuts to include walnuts, almonds, and pistachios are known to help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer to include endometrial cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Nuts are high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory. Antioxidants tend to neutralize highly reactive molecules or free radicals that could damage DNA, and it could be the nidus for developing certain cancers. Seleniu for example is considered a superfood in that contains several antioxidant enzymes, specifically in Brazil nuts. Additionally, nuts contain flavonoids and phenolic acids which are phytocompounds that are thought to increase anti-inflammatory enzymes, and increased antioxidant levels in several studies.
Say NO to these: several legumes are often confused with nuts. These include beans, peas, lentils, peanut, cashews. Also, say no to chia, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds as they are also high in lectins.
Healthy oils. Oils to include olive oil, and flaxseed oil are found to reduce the growth and spread of certain cancers. Both of these oils have been known to reduce risk of colorectal cancers. In one study, diet high in olive oil, was associated with a 50% risk reduction in several Mediterranean countries.
Say NO to these oils: cottonseed, corn oil, grapeseed oil, vegetable oil, safflower oil, soy oil, and sunflower oil.
These oils are generally highly processed, which strips them of their antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. These are also higher in omega-6 fatty acids which can lead to increased inflammation in the body and potentially contribute to disease. Additional some oil in this group may contain high levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), which can be dangerous to human health. PAHs have been found to cause cancer.
Mushrooms.
Study suggests that mushrooms when eaten daily has a 45% risk reduction of certain cancers, when compared to people who did not eat mushrooms. Mushrooms are thought to decrease several cancers and increased program death of several cancers. Most important in the list of mushrooms include a shiitake, oyster, maitake, and King oyster mushrooms, which are rich in vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants. Additionally, these mushrooms are rich in the amino acid ergothioneine which is known to induce necroptosis (cancerous cell death) in colorectal cancers.
Teas/green tea. Green tea is high in EGCG/epigallocatechin gallate which is known to retard the growth of several cancers. Green tea also helps to prevent the development of cancer as well as killing developing cancerous cells. EGCG is known to inhibit the spread of certain cancer cells, and specifically known to reduce the recurrence of breast cancer.
Oily fish. Fatty/oily fish like mackerel, tuna, herring, salmon, and trout are high in omega-3 fatty acids known to lower risk of malignancies. Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids are known to reduce fatty deposition within the vessels, prevent heart disease, and help to manage symptoms of multiple autoimmune disorders to include lupus. Fatty fish/omega-3 consumption can also reduce risk of prostate cancer.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The contents of this website are based upon the views of Dr. Walker and his experience. This product is not intended as medical advice nor to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information is likewise not to replace the advice of a qualified health care provider. The information provided herein is intended as a sharing of general knowledge only and is not intended to be, nor is it, medical advice or a substitute for medical advice. That being said, please consult your healthcare provider before using supplements or providing supplements to children under the age of 18. If you have or suspect you have, a specific medical condition or disease, please consult your healthcare provider.
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