Reducing Your Risk of Kidney Cancer
A risk factor increases your chances of developing cancer. Modifying the following risk factors may help reduce your risk of kidney cancer.
Because doctors do not know what causes kidney cancer, there are no well-established guidelines for reducing your risk of the disease.
General Guidelines
Avoid Exposure to Cancer-causing Substances
Avoiding exposure to cancer-causing substances will decrease your risk of developing kidney cancer. Suggestions include:
-
Don’t smoke. If you smoke,
quit
.
- Do not work or live in places that contain asbestos or other kidney cancer-causing toxins.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Obesity
is thought to be a risk factor for kidney cancer. If you are overweight, a
healthy diet
and
exercise
may reduce your risk of kidney cancer as well as other health problems. Talk to your doctor about changing your diet and starting an exercise routine.
References
American Cancer Society website. Available at:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp?level=0
.
Kidney Cancer Association website. Available at:
http://www.kidneycancerassociation.org/
.
National Cancer Institute website. Available at:
http://www.cancer.gov/
.