Kidney cancer symptoms: The five early warning signs of kidney cancer

Kidneys: Expert details the signs something might be wrong

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Kidney cancer can often be successfully treated if you catch it early on. Kidney Cancer UK’s 2021 Patient Survey has revealed that more than a quarter of patients are misdiagnosed, leading to potential treatment delays which can severely impact the survival rate. To give yourself and others the best chances of being correctly diagnosed, it’s essential to know and look out for the five early warning signs. Express.co.uk chatted to Dr Natalie Charnley, Oncologist at Royal Preston Hospital and Kidney Cancer UK Consultant to find out what the early symptoms are.

There are around 13,300 new kidney cancer cases in the UK every year – that’s 36 every day.

The disease is more common in men than women, but rates have increased by more than a quarter for men and women in the last decade.

Kidney cancer is treatable if caught early enough, but misdiagnosis and patients not recognising early symptoms are common.

Oncologist Dr Natalie said: “Symptoms of kidney cancer can be vague and easily put down to other less severe problems such as low back pain, chronic urine infections or even stress/fatigue.

“However, there are five early warning signs that you can look out for to help ensure that any indications that you could have the disease are spotted early.

“All these symptoms can be signs of kidney cancer, therefore if you are in any way concerned, it’s important to seek medical advice.

“The sooner kidney cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat. Regular routine check-ups are advisable, as many kidney cancer symptoms are hardly noticeable in the early stages, therefore helping to identify cancer before it spreads is critical.”

The five early warning signs of kidney cancer

Blood in the urine

Blood in the urine, also called haematuria, is a common symptom associated with kidney cancer.

If you notice any change in the colour of your urine it’s advised to seek medical attention.

Dr Natalie said: “Often blood in the urine is caused by minor infections, which can be easily treated.

“Even though it’s unlikely to be a sign of cancer, you should still see your GP for further tests to rule out cancer and other serious causes.”

Back pain

Persistent low back pain or pain in the side between the ribs and hip bone could be a sign of kidney cancer.

Dr Natalie warned: “As back pain (a dull ache or a sharp stab) is a symptom that people don’t often associate with kidney cancer, it can sometimes be overlooked.

“However, if the pain in your back, or side, is constant and doesn’t appear to be going away, it’s a good idea to seek a doctor’s opinion to ensure anything underlying is ruled out, and you are being treated correctly to avoid it getting worse.”

Blood abnormalities

Blood abnormalities such as anaemia (low red blood count) or polycythaemia (high red blood count) can be a sign of kidney cancer.

Dr Natalie explained: “The kidneys act as a signal for your body to make red blood cells, so if there’s a tumour growing, or if cancer is present, that signalling is interfered, leading to anaemia.

“However, whilst anaemia can be a sign of kidney cancer, it can also be the result of not enough iron in your diet.”

Tiredness and constant fatigue

Feeling tired and weak is a common side effect of kidney cancer, and this could include general weakness or feeling of heaviness, difficulty with concentration or decreased interest in usual tasks.

Dr Natalie stressed: “When your fatigue begins to interfere with your ability to carry out your normal daily activities, it’s worth checking in with your doctor to see if your tiredness can be fixed through supplements or diet change, or whether it’s more serious. “

Weight loss and/or loss of appetite

A sudden loss of appetite can be associated with kidney cancer sometimes.

It’s important to be mindful that a lack of interest in eating can then also contribute to unintentional weight loss, another symptom of the disease, Dr Natalie said.

Anyone concerned about their health or symptoms should speak to a medical professional.

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