Macon, Ga. (March 14, 2024) – This year, the American Cancer Society estimates more than 81,600 new cases of kidney cancer will be diagnosed nationwide, and almost 14,400 people will die from the disease.
Men are about twice as likely to develop kidney cancer than women, and the average age of someone at the time of diagnosis is between 65 and 74. Across the board, African Americans, American Indians and Alaska natives are more susceptible to kidney cancer than other racial groups.
This month is National Kidney Cancer Awareness Month, and Joseph Bear, M.D., a urologist at Piedmont Macon Medical Center whose specialties include kidney cancer, said he sees more than 200 patients each year with the disease.
“Piedmont Macon offers minimally invasive and surgical options to remove kidney tumors,” Dr. Bear said. “We also offer robotic partial nephrectomies, which is the partial removal of a kidney.”
“People with kidney cancer don’t usually show any signs or symptoms in the early stages of the disease,” Dr. Bear said. “But over time, they may see blood in their urine, pain in their back or side that won’t go away, loss of appetite, tiredness or unexplained weight loss. If anyone is experiencing those symptoms, the first step should be a visit to a primary care physician, who can make referrals to a kidney specialist, if needed.”
Lifestyle choices may reduce someone’s risk for developing kidney cancer, including quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, eating more fruits and vegetables, controlling high blood pressure and avoiding occupational exposure to heavy metals such as cadmium and lead, Dr. Bear said.
Kidney cancer also can have a genetic component, said Amanda Eppolito, genetic counselor at the Piedmont Cancer Genetics Program.
“Approximately 5 to 10 percent of kidney cancer is due to an inherited genetic risk factor that is passed through a family,” Eppolito said. “Genetic testing for inherited kidney cancer is most often considered for individuals with a personal or family history of kidney cancer at a young age (under 50), multiple kidney tumors, or multiple family members with kidney cancer or related tumors.”
Genetic counseling and testing are available to help people better understand potential cancer risk in the family and take proactive steps. For more information about genetic testing and counseling at Piedmont, visit www.piedmont.org/cancergenetics or contact the Piedmont Cancer Genetics Program at 478.464.1646.