Kidney cancer is a form of cancer that can be caused by a variety of unhealthy factors, such as obesity, high blood pressure and cigarette smoking. There are some clear symptoms of kidney cancer as well as others that may not seem as obvious at first. If someone suspects that they may have it, they should have their symptoms checked by a doctor as soon as possible. There are a few symptoms of kidney cancer that clearly indicate what the problem might be. One obvious indicator is blood in the urine, which may be pink, red or cola colored. Persistent back pain just below the ribs is also a sign that there may be a serious problem with the kidneys.

Other symptoms can be easy to miss because they are symptoms of so many other conditions. For example, fatigue and weight loss are symptoms that could easily be attributed to a number of different ailments. Intermittent fever is also a symptom that many people may not immediately associate with this condition. When someone suspects that they might have kidney cancer, there are a few tests that the doctor will do to make the final diagnosis. A urine test will determine the amount of blood in the urine in addition to other indicators of disease. The doctor will most likely also administer a blood test to evaluate the regular function of the kidneys. Doctors may also perform a test in which they will inject dye into the body that will make any tumors or abnormalities clearly visible in a CAT scan.

People who have high blood pressure or who are obese are at risk, in addition to people who have high risk occupations, such as those who come into regular contact with asbestos or cadmium. The symptoms may be difficult to identify, so those who are at risk should pay close attention to their bodily functions. The earlier that someone detects it, the better chance they will have of beating it.

The good news is that even though breast cancer occurs so frequently, if it’s treated in the early stages it’s highly curable for about six out of seven cases. So one of the most important things you can do is keep watching for symptoms, so that even if breast cancer occurs, you have a good chance of beating it. If you don’t discover breast cancer until an advanced stage, your chances of recovery are much lower – only about one in seven.

So what are the symptoms? They vary from woman to woman, and unfortunately many of them can occur for a multitude of reasons, but if you observe any of the following symptoms on an ongoing basis, do yourself a favor and get it checked out by your doctor. Many symptoms don’t involve any noticeable discomfort or pain; so don’t wait for that to happen before seeking advice. Symptoms include: Breast is warm to touch, Itching in the breast region or armpit, Ridges or thickened areas of the skin on the breast or nipple, Pink, red or dark colored area that has a texture similar to orange skin, Something that looks like a bruise that doesn’t fade, Nipple starts becoming inverted, Pain in the breast, anything from stabbing pains through to a constant ache, The aureole changes in color and/or texture, The breast shape or size changes, Lump or swelling in the armpit, Discharge from the nipple, Dimpled skin on the breast.

Research has shown that certain groups of women are more at risk of developing breast cancer. So if you belong to a high-risk category, it’s even more important that you regularly monitor your breasts, and either have your breasts checked for lumps by your doctor, or learn to do it yourself. Major risk factors include: Hormone replacement therapy, Obesity, High fat diet, Taking the oral contraceptive pill, Family history of breast cancer, Alcohol use

Again, always remember that breast cancer is highly treatable if it’s caught early. It’s better to get something suspicious checked out by your doctor and be proven wrong, than let it go and find out later you could have reduced the chance of mastectomy or even death because of breast cancer. Most of the time any symptoms will prove to be unrelated to breast cancer, but don’t take that risk. Always get suspicious symptoms checked by your doctor, so you can get an accurate diagnosis.