Every year thousands of people are diagnosed with a hidden cancer – usually when they are being tested for something else. Kidney cancer has ‘no obvious” symptoms, according to the NHS.
But one that might show up could be considered to be in a surprising place – in the neck. The NHS explains how when you go to the doctor it is one of the places that might be checked saying: “The GP may examine you to feel any lumps or swelling in your back or neck.”
Latest Cancer Research UK figures show there are 13,834 new cases of the cancer in the country every year. The disease will kill about 4,709.
However it is hard to spot. While there are some symptoms there are often not clear.
Symptoms of kidney cancer
The NHS says on its website : “Often there are no obvious symptoms of kidney cancer. It’s usually diagnosed when testing for something else.” It adds when there are symptoms, they can include:
- blood in your pee
- a lump or swelling in your back, under your ribs, or in your neck
- pain between your ribs and waist that does not go away
- loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
- feeling tired or having no energy
- a high temperature that does not go away
- sweating a lot, including at night
When to seek medical help
It advises people to get an urgent GP appointment or to call 111 now if there are some other signs. These include:
- your pee is smelly, cloudy or has blood in it
- it is painful to pee or you need to pee suddenly or more often
- you have a pain in your back, under your ribs that does not go away
- you have pain in your genitals
- you have a lump or swelling in your back, under your ribs, or in your neck
It added: “It’s important to get help as soon as possible as the symptoms can be similar to a kidney infection, which can be serious if it’s not treated quickly. Get help from 111 online or call 111.”
It also warned people to see a GP if they had three other symptoms. These are if you have:
- lost a noticeable amount of weight
- a high temperature that does not go away
- no energy or extreme tiredness (fatigue)
It added: “Some of these symptoms are common and can be caused by many different conditions. Having them does not definitely mean you have kidney cancer. But it’s important to get them checked by a GP. This is because if they’re caused by cancer, finding it early can mean it’s more treatable.”
Who is more likely to get kidney cancer
Anyone can get kidney cancer, but some things can increase your chances of getting it.
You may be more likely to get it if you:
- have a close relative with kidney cancer
- smoke
- are overweight or living with obesity
- have high blood pressure
- have certain inherited genetic conditions, such as tuberous sclerosis
- are having long-term dialysis for chronic kidney disease
It’s important to get any symptoms of kidney cancer checked by a GP. Even if you do not think you fit into any of the groups with a higher chance of getting it. Anyone can get kidney cancer.
How to cut your chances of getting kidney cancer
You cannot always prevent kidney cancer. But making healthy changes can lower your chances of getting it.
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try to lose weight if you’re overweight
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make lifestyle changes if you have high blood pressure, such as cutting back on salt, alcohol and caffeine