The purpose of this blog post is to provide a forum for people living with kidney cancer, also known

as renal cell carcinoma or RCC. We also hope to provide information for caregivers and family members as well as to help us raise awareness of kidney cancer.

Firstly what is kidney cancer?  It is, in fact, the eighth most common cancer.  Nearly 10,000 people are diagnosed with kidney cancer in the UK each year.

According to the UK’s NHS web site the signs and symptoms of kidney cancer can include:

• Blood in your urine
• A constant pain below your ribs
• Lump/s in your stomach area

However, they suggest that around 50% of people with kidney cancer do not present symptoms at an early stage and the disease is diagnosed via tests for other things.  But during my career as a researcher I was told that, in fact, the figure is closer to 80% but I’ve not been able to get confirmation of this.  If you have any information could you share it in the comments box please?

As always if you are in any way concerned about these symptoms it is vital that you see a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

Like many other cancers, kidney cancer is treated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.  Obviously various other medications can be used as well.  MacMillan has a good overview which you can see here http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertypes/Kidney/Treatingkidneycancer/Treatingkidneycancer.aspx

But, as we said, our main objective with this blog is to provide you with a forum to share your experience of kidney cancer.  Either as a patient, a caregiver or family member.

Anything you have to say is of interest but you might wish to think about the following questions.

a)         Can you tell us the story of your diagnosis. Who provided the diagnosis and when?

b)         How did you and your family learn about the disease generally after the diagnosis?

c)          What symptoms or events prompted your diagnosis of kidney cancer, if any?

d)         What physicians/specialists have you seen in connection with your kidney cancer? Who do you see on an on-going basis?

e)         How do you manage the disease on a daily basis?

Have you had to change your diet or lifestyle to cope with the disease?

f)           What advice would you give to somebody who has just been diagnosed?

 

Please feel free to use the comments box below to share your kidney cancer journey.

Many thanks in advance.