Kidney cancer silently affects thousands in the US each year and is challenging to detect early. Many patients do not notice symptoms until late, leading to a delayed diagnosis in four out of five cases. Kidney Cancer UK reports most diagnoses happen by chance during tests for other health problems.
Hazel Jackson, a lead nurse at the charity, says kidney cancer signs are often vague, including side or back pain, feeling very tired, and frequent urinary tract infections. The most important symptom is blood in urine, which might be visible or just a faint color that people overlook.
She emphasizes that even small amounts of blood in urine should never be ignored as it might point to serious issues like cancer. Additional symptoms include dull aches, weight loss without trying, reduced appetite, fever, and night sweats.
Because kidney cancer’s symptoms come on quietly and can be mistaken for common illnesses, Jackson advises people to listen to their bodies and get checked as early detection greatly improves chances of successful treatment.
