15 March 2024 , 20:00
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More than 13,000 people in the UK alone are diagnosed with kidney cancer - despite a third of cases being preventable.
The stark reality is these figures are likely to increase. In fact, Cancer Research UK predicts incidences of the disease to spike by 15 per cent in between 2023-2025 and 2038-2040. Factors such as smoking, being overweight, and having high blood pressure can increase your risk of developing the disease.
Even in this month's landmark study that found fewer middle-aged people are dying from cancer than at any point over the last 25 years, researchers warned of 'concerning' jumps in kidney cancer diagnoses. But most people only receive a diagnosis when having tests for other issues, as the symptoms of kidney cancer can be extremely 'insidious'. Therefore, knowing the early warning signs is essential.
According to the NHS one of the main symptoms to look out for is if you're 'sweating a lot'. Of course, if you're exercising during the day, have a physically demanding job, or even if the sun makes a rare appearance and you're outside - it's perfectly normal to sweat.
However, if you're experiencing 'heavy sweating' or night sweats - this could be a sign of a bigger problem. In a 2020 study on renal cell carcinoma, a common type of kidney cancer, 38 per cent of participants experienced severe sweating.
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If you're concerned about sweating, you should make an appointment with your doctor. It's likely this will be due to an infection or less serious ailment, but it's always worth checking out. Other symptoms to look out for include:
- Blood in your urine
- Lump/ Swelling in your back, under the ribs, or in your neck
- Feeling tired/ Having no energy
- Pain between your ribs and waist that won't shift
- High temperature that doesn't go away
- Loss of appetite/ Losing weight without trying to
If you spot blood in your urine, find a new lump, have pain in your back, ribs, or genitals, or find it painful to urinate - you should call 111 or contact your GP for an urgent appointment. If you or a loved one is suffering with cancer, you can get support here.