Kidney cancer, or renal cell adenocarcinoma, originates in the lining of the tubules of the kidney. The American Cancer Society estimates that roughly 63,340 new cases of kidney cancer will be reported this year, causing just under 15,000 U.S. renal cancer-related deaths. Even though, life expectancy following a kidney cancer diagnosis is quite good, for instance, the 5-year survival rate for patients with stage 1 renal cancer is approximately 81%, chances of survival are best if the cancer is detected in its earliest stages.

That means being aware of the risk factors that contribute to renal cancer development are wise for individuals are prone to this type of cancer, due to the following causes and risk factors:

1. Family history
Patients with a family history of kidney cancer have a increased chance of inheriting the disease if a parent or sibling has already been diagnosed with renal cancer. Medical experts believe that family history of certain types of cancer are caused either by environmental exposure, shared genes, or sadly both.

2. Toxic substances
Certain environmental exposures may contribute to the development of kidney cancer in your home or in your workplace. For instance, scientists point to exposure to a certain toxic metal, known as cadmium, as a risk for increased renal cell cancer development. Long term exposure to certain toxic substances (i.e., trichloroethylene, solvents, and herbicides) may also put individuals at increased cancer risk.

3. Certain medications
The risk of kidney cancer development is also considered higher in patients who also take the following prescription and over-the-counter medications:

Diuretics, also known as water pills, which are commonly prescribed to treat hypertension (or high blood pressure) are thought to contribute in part to renal cancer development.
Phenacetin, a type of over-the-counter pain reliever, is also linked to increased kidney cancer development. However, this drug has been unavailable in the U.S. now for quite some time.
Dialysis, a type of toxin removal treatment for patients with advanced kidney disease, is also thought to increase kidney cancer risk.

4. Other existing conditions
Several genetic and hereditary health conditions can also increase an individual’s risk of kidney cancer. For instance, patients already diagnosed with Cowden syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, von Hippel-Lindau disease, and Birt-Hogg Dube (or BHD) syndrome are considered at increased risk for renal cancer development due to gene abnormalities. While patients with familial history to renal cancer, renal oncocytoma, leiomyoma-renal cell carcinoma, or papillary renal cell carcinoma should be screened regularly for renal cancer by doctors.

5. Smoking
Smoking increases the development so many chronic diseases, including renal cell carcinoma (or RCC). The good news is that your risk of kidney and several other types of cancer diminish once again if you quit smoking for good. Males who smoke and are overweight are at particular risk due to chemical exposure, hormonal changes due to excess weight, and the fact that males are 50% more likely to develop renal cancer compared to females under similar circumstances.