RISK FACTORS

• Smoking

Smoking increases the risk of getting renal cancer.

The risk appears to be linked to the amount and length of time that an individual smokes

It is reduced by quitting smoking, but several years must pass before the risk is comparable to that of an individual who has never smoked.

• Obesity

Obese individuals have an increased risk of getting renal cancer.

This may be due to certain hormone changes which lead to its appearance.

• Occupational exposure

Studies indicate that there is a link between exposure at work to certain substances and developing renal cancer.

Such substances include cadmium, insecticides, and solvents such as trichloroethylene.

• Genetics and hereditary factors

Some individuals inherit a tendency to develop certain forms of cancer.

Rare hereditary diseases may be a cause of renal cancer.

These are:

1. Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome

2. Hereditary Papillary Renal Carcinoma

3. Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrom

4. Familiar Renal Cancer

• Family history of renal cancer

Some individuals with a family history of renal cancer (with none of the abovementioned hereditary syndromes) are at increased risk of developing this cancer.

• Hypertension
• Use of Phenacetin
• End-stage renal disease

Patients with end-stage renal disease and in particular those undergoing dialysis have an increased risk of developing renal cancer.

• Gender

Men become ill more frequently than women at a ratio of 2:1

• Ethnicity

Native Americans and black Americans have an increased risk of developing renal cancer.

• Smoking

This is the most significant risk factor for developing bladder cancer.

Smokers are at least 3 times more likely to develop cancer compared to non-smokers.

Smoking is responsible for approximately half the instances of bladder cancer in men and women.

• Occupational exposure

Exposure to chemicals used in the dye industry known as aromatic amines can increase the risk of developing bladder cancer.

This affects workers in the dye industry, painters, hair dressers, workers in the plastics, leather and textile industry.

• Certain drugs or dietary supplements

Certain drugs used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (pioglitazone) have been associated with an increased risk, but this link is still the subject of research.

Dietary supplements containing aristolochic acid have also been associated with an increased risk of developing urothelial cancer.

• Age

Risk increases with age.

9 out of 10 individuals with bladder cancer are aged over 55.

• Gender

Men more frequently develop bladder cancer compared to women.

• Chronic inflammation of the bladder and infections

Urinary tract infections, bladder stone formation and indwelling catheters which remain in place for extended periods can cause inflammation linked to increased risk of developing bladder cancer.

Schistosomiasis is an infection due to a parasitic worm and is a significant risk factor in Africa and the Middle East.

• History of urothelial cancer of the upper urinary tract

Cancer in the renal pelvis, ureter or urethra increases the risk of developing bladder cancer.

• Chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide
• Previous radiotherapy in the lesser pelvis area

• Age

Prostate cancer is rare in men aged under 40.

The risk of developing it is significantly increased after the age of 50.

6 out of 10 cases of prostate cancer develop in men over the age of 65.

• Ethnicity

African-Americans are 6 times more likely to get the disease than white Americans.

• Heredity

Prostate cancer seems to appear more frequently in certain families, which suggests that in some cases there may be an inherited or genetic factor.

Having a first-degree relative with prostate cancer doubles an individual’s risk, while if there are more than two relatives, this risk increases 5 to 11-fold.

Other risk factors for developing prostate cancer without, however, clear clinical data are:

• Diet rich in animal fats
• Obesity
• Occupational exposure to chemicals
• Prostate inflammations
• Sexual behaviour
• Drinking alcohol

• Cryptorchidism: in patients with cryptorchidism the risk of developing this cancer is 3-14 times higher.
• Infertility
• Klinefelter syndrome
• Family history: having a first-degree relative with testicular cancer increases the risk of an individual getting the same disease. Such cases are very few, and most patients with testicular cancer have no family history.
• History of cancer in the other testicle: around 3-4 % of patients with cancer in one testicle, will develop cancer in the other one.

• Phimosis
• Poor hygiene
• Smoking
• Chronic Inflammation (i.e. balanoposthitis, balanitis xerotica obliterans)
• Ultraviolet radiation treatment
• HPV infection
• History of multiple sexual partners, and sexual intercourse commencing at an early age.

• Occupational exposure to toxic substances such as lead, cadmium, mercury and vinyl chloride
• Exposure to ionizing radiation
• Smoking and addictive substances
• Anabolic drugs
• Overconsumption of alcohol
• Exposure to estrogens in the womb
• Exposure of the genital organs to high temperatures, such as in saunas and hot tubs

• Cryptorchidism
• History of prostatitis
• History of mumps (parotitis)
• History of testicular trauma
• Obesity

• Family history of kidney stone disease
• Dehydration
• Diet rich in animal proteins, salt and sugar
• Obesity
• Weight Loss Surgery
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Cystinuria
• Urinary tract infections