Doctors also draw attention to the importance of early diagnosis of the disease, which has no symptoms in the initial phase.
OR cancer In kidney killed more than ten thousand people between 2019 and 2021 in Brazil, according to the Brazilian Society of Urology (SBU). This is a significant number for a three-year period. To make matters worse, in addition to being lethal, this disease is also lethal silent. Often symptoms don’t even appear before the condition becomes serious. These worrying characteristics have led the SBU to organize, for the entire month of June, the first edition of a warning campaign on the condition.
The institution will promote courses on the topic in the different regions where it has members, as well as already publishing posts, videos and live broadcasts on its social networks with experts who clarify doubts about kidney cancer, risk factors and the importance of early diagnosis . The contents can be found on SBU Instagram.
“We want to draw attention to the importance of a a healthy lifestyle, which is related to the modifiable risk factors of this cancer. Avoid smoking, exercise regularly, keep your blood pressure under control and adopt a balanced diet”, advises urologist Luiz Otávio Torres, president of the SBU.
Risk factors
Advice on habits is important. Half of these cancers occur in smokers or former smokers. Furthermore, the main threats are sedentary lifestyle, obesity and hypertension. According to a statement from the SBU, due to the high prevalence of these diseases among people, as well as the aging of the population, the incidence of this cancer is believed to be increasing worldwide. The concern, in fact, is general: according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), by 2050 we will see an increase of over 70% in the incidence of oncological diseases.
The risk is greater for men, who are most affected by kidney cancer. Overall, from 2019 to 2021, there were more than 6,700 deaths. Among women, in the same period, there were 4,090 deaths. The disease is most common in people between the ages of 50 and 70, but it is worth noting that children can also develop this type of tumor, which is responsible for approximately 7% of pediatric cancers.
When to see a doctor?
In its early stages, this cancer usually has no symptoms. Therefore, Torres says it is usually discovered by accident. The tumor tends to show up in imaging tests (such as abdominal ultrasound) ordered to investigate other conditions.
Therefore, according to the doctor, It is recommended that people undergo annual checkups, especially after the age of 50. Between tests, the doctor recommends an ultrasound of the urinary system. But magnetic resonance imaging and abdominal tomography may also be required for diagnosis.
Despite being a silent disease, Torres points out that a common sign of kidney cancer is the presence of blood in the urine. Other symptoms that may be associated with the condition include:
• Pain in the side of your belly and/or lower back
• Backache
• Abdominal and leg swelling
• Presence of a mass in the abdomen on palpation
• Blood in the urine
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Anemia
• Tiredness
Treatment
Depending on the stage of the tumor, treatment may include options such as immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, as well as surgery to remove the organ or part of it. According to data from the Hospital Information System of the Ministry of Health, between 2019 and March 2024, over 11,000 total kidney removal operations and 6,000 partial kidney removal operations were performed.
Roni Fernandes, director of the Graduate School of Urology at SBU, emphasizes that the ideal treatment plan depends on several factors. In addition to the stage, the location of metastases (when cancer cells spread to other parts of the body, forming new tumors), the patient’s general health status and personal preferences are also taken into account. “It is important to discuss all therapeutic options with a specialized medical team to make the most appropriate decision for the individual case,” he underlines.
Kidney cancer represents approximately 3% of urological malignancies. The SBU campaign chose the month of June to conduct the campaign because the 18th is World Kidney Cancer Day.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
