Do you know someone with kidney cancer? Maybe you are struggling with kidney cancer. March is Global Kidney Cancer Awareness Month. The kidneys are a pair of organs located near your lower back, and they do a very important job. They are responsible for filtering waste out of the body and creating urine. Now is the time to be kind to your kidneys.
Kidney Cancer (aka Renal cancer) is in the Top 10 most frequent cancers for both men and women. You may not hear about kidney cancer as much as some of other cancers like breast, colon, and ovarian. However, the rate of kidney cancer in the United States has been on the rise for the past 20 years. Persons in their 60s and men are the most commonly diagnosed, though women and younger adults are still at risk.
The good news? Kidney cancer is treatable. Even so, like with most cancer treatments, these treatments may cause some unpleasant nutrition side effects, such as: painful digestion, lack of appetite, change in bowel and urinary patterns, and weight loss.
Check out our website for videos and information on managing the side effects of treatments. We have strategies for anemia (iron poor blood), diarrhea, unwanted weight loss and most other side effects.
How do you deal with these side effects? Share what works for you in the comments. Maybe it’s eating less spicy foods. Or perhaps you are on a special meal plan. Let us know your steps to help other cancer survivors.
Even if you do not have a kidney cancer diagnosis, it is important to take good care of your kidneys. Here are some tips for caring for your kidneys:
- Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the healthy range. Work with your healthcare team to achieve these goals.
- Eat less sodium or salt.
- Eat a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight by eating a variety of fruits and veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy.
- Stay active.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Quit smoking.
Be kind to your kidneys they are two of the hardest working organs in your body!
