Kidney Cancer Risk Factors: Smoking
Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for
kidney cancer. In fact, cigarette smokers are twice as likely as nonsmokers to develop kidney cancer. Cigar smoking may also increase a person's kidney cancer risk.
Kidney Cancer Risk Factors: Obesity
People who are obese have an increased risk of developing kidney cancer.
Kidney Cancer Risk Factors: High Blood Pressure
Kidney Cancer Risk Factors: Long-Term Dialysis
Dialysis is a treatment that removes wastes from the blood in people whose kidneys do not work well. Being on dialysis for many years is a kidney cancer risk.
Kidney Cancer Risk Factors: Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome
Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome is a rare disease that runs in some families and is caused by changes in the VHL gene. An abnormal von Hippel-Lindau syndrome gene increases the risk of kidney cancer and can cause cysts or tumors in the eyes, brain, and other parts of the body. Family members of those with this syndrome can have a test to check for the abnormal von Hippel-Lindau syndrome gene. For people with the abnormal von Hippel-Lindau syndrome gene, doctors may suggest ways to improve the detection of kidney cancer and other diseases before symptoms develop.
Kidney Cancer Risk Factors: Occupational Exposure
Some people have a higher risk of developing kidney cancer because they come in contact with certain chemicals or substances in their workplace. Coke oven workers in the iron and steel industry are at risk as well as workers who are exposed to
asbestos or cadmium.
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