World Kidney Cancer Day is an annual global awareness initiative held on third Thursday of June to raise awareness about Kidney cancer, its risk factors and the importance of early detection.

Kidney cancer is a "silent disease" with minimal early symptoms. Awareness is critical for timely screening and more effective treatment outcomes.

Common symptoms of kidney cancer include:

·        Blood in urine (Haemeturia) is the most common sign.

·        Pain in the stomach area, back or side that does not go away.

·        A Lump in the side or lower back.

·        Other symptoms include: Fatigue, unexplained weight loss, persistent fever, night sweats, swelling in ankle or legs.

Risk factors of Kidney Cancer:

• Age: Kidney cancer typically affects people aged between 65 to 74.

• Family history of kidney cancer can increase your risk.

• Obesity: People who have excess body weight have a higher risk for RCC.

• High blood pressure: The risk of kidney cancer is higher in people with high blood pressure.

• Family history of kidney cancer: People with a strong family history of RCC have a higher chance of developing cancer.

• Smoking: Your risk of RCC increases if you smoke.

• Workplace Exposure to certain chemicals: Exposure in the workplace to chemicals including petroleum products, heavy metals, cadmium (in batteries, paints, or welding materials) or asbestos can increase the risk of kidney cancer.

• Being male: RCC is about twice as common in men as in women.

Diagnosis and Tests:

Imaging Tests: These are the most definitive way to identify a tumor.

CT Scans: The most common tool used to locate the tumor and assess its size, shape and whether it has spread.

MRI: Used if a CT scan is inconclusive or to get a better look at surrounding blood vessels.

Ultrasound: Often the first test done when investigating a kidney mass

Blood Tests: While there is no blood test specifically to diagnose Kidney Cancer. Doctors analyze the blood for abnormal levels of creatinine, a sign of impaired kidney function or abnormal levels of Liver enzymes, which may suggest that cancer has spread to the Liver.

Biopsy is done to confirm Cancer.

Early detection dramatically improves treatment outcomes and survival rates. Do not ignore the warning signs. Taking proactive steps like scheduling regular check-ups and healthy life choices plays a vital role in preventing Kidney cancer.