Suffering from recurring UTIs? Leading nurse says it could be a warning sign of deadly kidney cancer
Suffering from recurrent urinary tract infections could be a sign of kidney cancer, a nurse has warned.
According to Cancer Research UK, there are approximately 4,700 kidney cancer deaths in the UK every year, making it the thirteenth most common cause of cancer death.
However, unlike other types of cancer—which can be easily tested for—it usually forms without symptoms, meaning people only find out they have it once it is at an advanced stage, and options for treatment are limited.
A new report released by Kidney Cancer UK found that four in five cases of kidney cancer are found by accident, with 55 per cent diagnosed while having a scan or test for an unrelated condition.
Worryingly, 37 per cent show zero symptoms of the disease whatsoever.
It’s why Hazel Jackson, a lead nurse from the charity, describes it as a ‘silent disease’.
She said: ‘Many people don’t notice anything wrong until it’s more advanced.
‘That’s why spotting the early warning signs is so important.’
Hazel Jackson, a nurse at Kidney Cancer UK, says that recurrent UTIs should never be ignored
One of the fastest-rising cancers in Britain and the US—particularly among under 50s—kidney cancer is often dubbed a ‘silent killer’ because it rarely causes symptoms until it is advanced
Ms Jackson explained that two major red flags that warrant a trip to your GP is seeing blood in your urine, and suffering from recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs).
‘Blood in your urine is often the biggest red flag,’ she said, adding that it can show up in a variety of guises.
These include deep red or brown urine, passing water with a pink tinge, or noticing blood on toilet paper once you’ve finished.
‘Some people assume a small drop isn’t worth worrying about, but in essence, any blood in your urine is abnormal and should be checked immediately.
‘It could be caused by something simple like a kidney stone or infection, but it can also be an early sign of kidney cancer. Never dismiss it,’ she said.
The other urine-based warning sign is suffering from UTIs one after the other.
A UTI, is an infection in any part of the urinary system, and can have different names depending on which part of the urinary tract is infected.
Cystitis affects the bladder, pyelonephritis affects the kidneys and urethritis affects the ureter and urethra.
Typical symptoms include a burning feeling when urinating, a frequent urge to urinate, despite little urine coming out upon doing so and dark, cloudy or strange-smelling urine.
Ms Jackson continued: ‘Though most UTIs are harmless, repeated infections can mask serious kidney problems, including, in rare cases, cancer,’ she said.
‘Symptoms of kidney cancer can be vague and don’t always appear together.
‘That’s why it’s vital to trust your instincts.
‘If you notice blood in your urine, ongoing pain, or repeated infections, see your GP and push for checks.’
Almost 14,000 Britons are diagnosed with kidney cancer every year, with 4,700 deaths. In the US, there are around 80,000 new cases annually.
Cases are also climbing sharply in younger adults.
People born in 1990 are up to three times more likely to develop the disease than those born in the 1950s—a trend doctors say is partly driven by rising obesity and high blood pressure.
A report by Kidney Cancer UK published earlier this year also revealed that almost all cases of the disease are spotted by accident.
That means patients are only being diagnosed when they have a scan for an unrelated condition or in A&E.
Just one in five of the patients polled by the charity said their condition was spotted because they were sent for relevant tests by their GP.
Risk factors for the cancer include smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease or family history.
