There are a few things, which aggravate your risk of developing kidney cancer. Though risk factors do heighten your chances of developing cancer, they do not necessarily cause cancer. However, knowing the risk factors and prevention tips for kidney cancer is necessary to keep yourself safe from the disease.

Risk factors

• Smoking
  The risk of kidney cancer almost doubles when you smoke tobacco. Approximately 30 percent of kidney cancer cases in men are because of smoking. On the other hand, about twenty-five percent of cases in women are attributed to smoking.

• Sex
  Men are about two to three times more vulnerable to kidney cancer as opposed to women.

• Ethnicity
  The cases of kidney cancer are highest in black people.

• Age
  Kidney cancer is more prevalent in adults who are between the age groups of 50-70 years.

• Weight
  People who are overweight are at a greater risk of developing kidney cancer.

• High BP
  Men who have hypertension or high blood pressure have a greater likelihood of developing kidney cancer.

• Overuse of a few medications
  Consumption of painkillers, which have phenacetin, is not allowed in the US. It is believed that these medications can lead to transitional cell carcinoma. In addition to it, analgesic painkillers and diuretics, including ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen, also put you at risk of kidney cancer.

• Cadmium exposure
  Certain studies reveal that overexposure to cadmium, a metallic element, also puts you at risk of developing kidney cancer. Further, people who work with welding materials, batteries, and paints are also at a heightened risk.

• Kidney disease
  Anyone suffering from reduced kidney function, regardless of whether they need dialysis or not, are also at an increased risk of developing kidney cancer.

• Long-term dialysis
  Usually, people who have been on dialysis for a while tend to grow cancerous cysts in the kidney. However, these cysts are detected early and can be gotten rid of before the spread of cancer.

• Familial link
  The risk of kidney cancer is more in people whose parent or sibling had the disease. In case another extended family member has the disease, such as cousins, grandchildren, uncles, aunts, grandparents, nephews, or nieces, and was diagnosed with it before the age of 50, then, too, your risk of developing kidney cancer is high.

Prevention tips
In a lot of cases, the real cause of kidney cancer is unknown. Unfortunately, in some instances, when the cause is known (familial link), you still cannot do anything to prevent it. However, there are a few cases when you can control your chances of developing the disease.

• Quit smoking
  As smoking is the primary cause of kidney cancer, you must quit smoking to reduce the risk.

• Lose weight
  People who are overweight or have high BP are at a greater risk of kidney cancer. Thus, maintaining a healthy weight with the right combination of diet and exercise can be helpful.
• Reduce exposure to harmful substances
  As substances like trichloroethylene put you at risk of kidney cancer, reducing the exposure may help.

So, these are the risk factors and prevention tips for kidney cancer.