A kidney cancer specialist has warned that thousands of people could be mistaking little-known signs of the disease for common health issues.
One of the fastest-rising cancers in Britain and the US—particularly among under 50s—it is often dubbed a ‘silent killer’ because it rarely causes symptoms until it is advanced.
Experts have long warned that by the time tell-tale signs such as blood in the urine, appear, the cancer is often too late for successful treatment.
If spotted early, three-quarters of patients survive at least five years—but once the cancer has spread, survival drops to just 18 per cent.
Now, Hazel Jackson, a nurse at Kidney Cancer UK, has urged Britons to be vigilant for six specific symptoms of the disease and to ‘trust your instincts’.
She told the Daily Mail: ‘Kidney cancer is often called a “silent disease” because many people don’t notice anything wrong.
‘That’s why spotting the early warning signs is so important.
‘The first symptom people often overlook is recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Hazel Jackson, a nurse at Kidney Cancer UK, has urged Britons to be vigilant for six specific symptoms of the disease and to ‘trust your instincts’
‘While a single infection is usually easy to treat, repeated UTIs can signal a deeper problem.
‘They can feel like burning when peeing, a constant urge to go, cloudy or strong-smelling urine, and sometimes back discomfort or fever.’
She added: ‘Recurring infections can seriously affect your daily life, making it hard to work, sleep, or enjoy everyday activities.
‘Though most UTIs are harmless, repeated infections can mask serious kidney problems, including, in rare cases, cancer.’
A dull ache or pain in your side, back, or just below your ribs that lingers and unexplained tiredness—the kind that doesn’t improve with rest—equally, are two other key symptoms.
Losing weight without trying, especially if it happens quickly, meanwhile, is the fourth, Ms Jackson said.
Known medically as Cachexia, or wasting syndrome, the symptom causes extreme loss of muscle and fat.
People with early-stage cancers don’t usually get cachexia, research shows.
But up to four in five of people with advanced cancer develop some degree of cachexia.
In cancer, it’s thought to be driven by inflammation.
That’s because inflammation can promote muscle wastage and a tumour can take energy away from the rest of the body.
According to Ms Jackson, a lump or swelling in the side or abdomen and blood in urine are the final two key signs.
‘Of these, blood in your urine is often the biggest red flag,’ she told the Daily Mail.
‘It can show in different ways—from obvious deep red or brown urine to a faint pink tinge, tiny specks, or even blood only at the end of urination.
‘Some people assume a small drop isn’t worth worrying about, but in essence, any blood in your urine is abnormal and should be checked immediately.
‘It could be caused by something simple like a kidney stone or infection, but it can also be an early sign of kidney cancer. Never dismiss it.’
One of the fastest-rising cancers in Britain and the US—particularly among under 50s—kidney cancer is often dubbed a ‘silent killer’ because it rarely causes symptoms until it is advanced
She added: ‘These symptoms can be vague and don’t always appear together. That’s why it’s vital to trust your instincts.
‘If you notice blood in your urine, ongoing pain, or repeated infections, see your GP and push for checks.
‘We know that for some, accessing a GP can be difficult, and sometimes requests for tests or referrals can be delayed.
‘Be persistent, clearly explain your symptoms, ask for your concerns to be taken seriously, and consider requesting a referral to a specialist if needed.’
Almost 14,000 Britons are diagnosed with kidney cancer every year, with 4,700 deaths. In the US, there are around 80,000 new cases annually.
Cases are also climbing sharply in younger adults.
People born in 1990 are up to three times more likely to develop the disease than those born in the 1950s—a trend doctors say is partly driven by rising obesity and high blood pressure.
A report by Kidney Cancer UK published earlier this year also revealed that almost all cases of the disease are spotted by accident.
That means patients are only being diagnosed when they have a scan for an unrelated condition or in A&E.
Just one in five of the patients polled by the charity said their condition was spotted because they were sent for relevant tests by their GP.
Risk factors for the cancer include smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease or family history.
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