Kidney cancer is among the 10 most common cancers in both men and women
PHOENIX (March 23, 2015) – March is Kidney Cancer Awareness Month and Arizona Oncology, a practice in The US Oncology Network, encourages men and women to speak with their healthcare providers about the symptoms, risk factors and treatments for the disease. Also known as Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), kidney cancer is among the 10 most common cancers in both men and women.
“The rate of new kidney cancers has been on the rise since the 1990s. Most likely this is due to improved technology such as CT scans which now help locate cancers that were not previous identified,” said Tania Cortas, M.D., medical oncologist, Arizona Oncology. “The death rates for these cancers continue to decrease, so early diagnosis is key to both treatment and survival.”
More than 200,000 kidney cancer survivors are living in the United States today, according to kidneycancer.org. Recent advances in diagnosis, surgical procedures and treatment options provide patients new hope to manage and live with the disease, with a high quality of life.
Based on American Cancer Society estimates, about 61,560 new cases of kidney cancer will occur this year, and more than 14,000 people will die from the disease. Most people with kidney cancer are older, with an average age of 64. Overall, the lifetime risk for developing kidney cancer is about 1 in 63, and this risk is higher in men.
Factors that increase the risk of kidney cancer include:
- Smoking, which can double the risk of the disease
- Regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which may or may not increase the risk by 51%
- Obesity
- Faulty genes
- A family history of kidney cancer
- Having kidney disease that needs dialysis
- Being infected with Hepatitis C
- Previous treatment for testicular cancer or cervical cancer
In addition to being aware of the risk factors of kidney cancer, Arizona Oncology reminds all men and women to speak with their healthcare providers about this disease during their annual exams. To learn more about the treatment of kidney cancer at Arizona Oncology, visit ArizonaOncology.com or call 888-972-CURE.
About Arizona Oncology
Arizona Oncology is one of the largest medical groups in Arizona. With more than 60 practicing physicians devoted exclusively to providing comprehensive, compassionate and high-quality cancer care, Arizona Oncology specializes in Medical, Gynecologic, and Radiation Oncology, Hematology, Stem Cell Transplant, Research, Genetic Risk Assessment and patient ancillary programs. The physicians and their staff treat patients in many communities throughout the state including: Chandler, Cottonwood, Deer Valley, Flagstaff, Glendale, Green Valley, Nogales, Oro Valley, Phoenix, Prescott Valley, Safford, Scottsdale, Sedona, and Tucson.
Arizona Oncology believes it is beneficial to provide cancer therapies in a community setting, close to patients' homes and support systems. The physicians are supported by a talented clinical team sensitive to the needs of cancer patients and their caregivers. For more information, visit ArizonaOncology.com.
Arizona Oncology is united in healing with The US Oncology Network, one of the nation’s largest networks of integrated community-based oncology practices dedicated to advancing high-quality, evidence-based cancer care. As an affiliate of The US Oncology Network, Arizona Oncology is united with 1,000 physicians nationwide. Arizona Oncology participates in clinical trials through US Oncology Research, which has played a role in more than 50 FDA-approved cancer therapies, nearly one-third of all cancer therapies approved by the FDA to date. For more information, visit www.usoncology.com.