Kidney cancer is a type of tumor that develops in the kidneys. A tumor can occur in one or both of the kidneys and spread gradually. The American Cancer Institute estimates that in the year 2020, about 73,750 new cases of kidney cancer will be diagnosed and out of these, the mortality rate will be about 20%. Following are some of the risk factors for kidney cancer that you should know about.

• Smoking
  One of the preventable risk factors for kidney cancer is smoking. The number of cigarettes you smoke and the number of years you have been smoking are both directly related to your risk of developing kidney cancer. Men and women who smoke are at a 30% and 25% higher risk for developing kidney tumors respectively. Quitting smoking completely brings down the risk level.
• High blood pressure
  Another very common risk factor for kidney cancer is high blood pressure. People struggling with high blood pressure are more at risk of developing tumors in their kidneys. Make sure you keep your blood pressure levels in check all through life.
• Inhaling harmful chemicals
  If you are exposed to harmful chemicals such as trichloroethylene or cadmium either at work or at home, you are at a higher risk of developing kidney cancer. If your workplace uses hazardous chemicals, you must wear protective masks and take other precautions.
• Gender
  You may be surprised, but kidney cancer is twice more common in men than it is in women. Studies show that since more men smoke and are exposed to harmful chemicals at their workplace, their risk factor increases.
• Family history
  A family history of kidney cancer puts you at a higher risk for developing the same. Your risk factor for kidney cancer increases if you have first-degree relatives who were diagnosed with the condition. Do not forget to mention your family history to your consulting doctor.
• Overconsumption of pain killers
  Some studies show that the over-consumption of certain painkillers can put you at a higher risk of developing renal cancer. Certain diuretics also can cause tumors.
• Prevalence of chronic kidney disease
  If you already have chronic kidney disease and are getting treated for it, it can be considered a risk factor for kidney cancer.
• Long term dialysis
  People who undergo long term dialysis can develop tumor-like cysts in their kidneys. If these growths are identified early, they can be removed before they spread. Undiagnosed cysts can develop into cancer cells.

Make a note of all these risk factors for kidney cancer and get in touch with your doctor if you consider yourself to be at high risk for the condition. Regular checkups can help to detect the disease early, and treatments are very successful when the disease is identified on time.