Kidney Cancer Risk Factors

It’s not always clear what causes kidney cancer. Various factors can cause changes in the DNA inside your kidney cells, which can make them become cancerous. Those DNA changes can include genetic mutations that you are born with or that develop during your lifetime. 

Risk factors of kidney cancer

Certain factors may put you at higher risk of developing kidney cancer. You can’t change some of them, but you can take steps to lower others. Understanding your risk factors and making healthy lifestyle choices may reduce your odds of kidney cancer and improve your health and well-being.

Kidney cancer risk factors include:

• Age: Kidney cancer is most often diagnosed in people over the age of 50.
• Sex: Kidney cancer is about twice as common in men as in women.
• Race/ethnicity: American Indians and Alaskan Natives have the highest rates of kidney cancer in the United States. Black Americans have higher rates of kidney cancer than white Americans.
• Cigarette smoking: Chemicals in tobacco smoke can enter your bloodstream and damage the kidneys. Try taking steps to quit.
• Obesity: Excess body fat, especially around the waist, may lead to hormonal changes and inflammation that can make kidney cancer more likely. Maintaining a healthy body weight can reduce this risk.
• Family history: Having family members with kidney cancer or genetic conditions such as von Hippel-Lindau disease, Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome, tuberous sclerosis complex, familial renal cancer or hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma can increase your risk.
• High blood pressure: Managing blood pressure with lifestyle changes and medication may help.
• Chronic kidney disease: Reduced kidney function increases your risk of kidney cancer, including in patients on dialysis or those who have undergone a kidney transplant.

Preventing kidney cancer

Good lifestyle habits may help keep your kidneys healthy:

• Eat a balanced diet that’s rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and lean proteins. Limit processed foods, sugary beverages and red and processed meats.
• Get regular physical activity, such as walking, jogging, swimming or cycling. This should include 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise every week, as well as strength training twice a week. Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including kidney cancer.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and help keep your kidneys working well.

Talk to your health care provider about ways you can reduce your risk of kidney cancer. Be sure to let your provider know about any risk factors that may make kidney cancer more likely for you. 

Learn about symptoms of kidney cancer.