From Robert B. Barriger, MD, Radiation Oncologist with OHC
March 12, 2018
Robert B. Barriger, MD
Radiation Oncologist with OHC
This year, an estimated 63,990 adults in the United States will be diagnosed with kidney cancer. 40,610 of those will be men and 23,380 will be women. Kidney cancer is the sixth most common cancer for men, and it is the tenth most common cancer for women.
“At OHC, we’d like to help reduce these numbers,” says Robert B. Barriger, M.D., a radiation oncologist with OHC. “March is National Kidney Cancer Awareness Month, so we want to share some excellent information from the highly respected American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) that may help you and your loved ones reduce your risk.”
Although there is no proven way to completely prevent this disease, you may be able to lower your risk.
- Quit smoking. Smoking tobacco doubles the risk of developing kidney cancer.
- Lowering blood pressure. The higher risk may be caused by the high blood pressure itself, or it may be due to blood pressure medications. Talk with your doctor to determine how best to lower your blood pressure.
- Maintaining a healthy body weight. Research has often shown a link between kidney cancer and obesity.
- Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in fat. The link between kidney cancer and obesity is generally caused by many years of eating a high-fat diet
- Monitor you use of certain medications. Diuretics and analgesic pain pills, such as aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen, have been linked to kidney cancer.
Although kidney cancer can run in families, inherited kidney cancers are uncommon, occurring about 5% of the time. Only a few specific genes that increase the risk of developing kidney cancer have been found, and many are linked to specific genetic syndromes. Only genetic testing can determine whether a person has a genetic mutation.
“The good news is that at OHC, we have a genetic counseling and testing program that is now available to the general public. We also have clinical trials through which new treatments for kidney cancer are being tested right here in greater Cincinnati,” added Dr. Barriger.
Any time you are concerned about symptoms you are experiencing or possible genetic disposition or cancer in general, always speak with your doctor. He or she is your partner in your health. To speak with an OHC specialist, call 1-888-649-4800 or request an appointment here.
