Kidney cancer is a serious condition, and like many cancers, it’s surrounded by claims about what causes it. From diet to genetics, how do we separate fact from fiction? In this article, we examine five commonly cited kidney cancer risk factors and check them against current medical research. If you’re aiming to stay informed and proactive about your health, this guide will help you understand what really matters and what doesn’t.
Kidney cancer is the 6th most common cancer in UK adults, yet awareness remains low. Each year, around 13,900 people are diagnosed, and around 5,100 die from the disease1. Often, there are no clear symptoms until the cancer is advanced, leading to late diagnosis and poorer outcomes2. Cancer Research UK states that around 34 per cent of cases are preventable1.
Claim 1: "Only smokers are at risk of kidney cancer"
Smoking is a major risk, but not the only one
Anyone can develop kidney cancer, not just smokers. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer, making up over 90 per cent of kidney cancer cases3.
Current smokers have around 36 per cent higher risk of RCC compared to non-smokers4. Smoking accounts for roughly 13-15 per cent of all UK cases5. Heavy smokers (who smoke 20 or more cigarettes a day) face double the risk of RCC compared to those who have never smoked6.
Quitting smoking brings major benefits, with the risk of RCC reducing steadily over time7. A 2023 study showed that quitting after a kidney cancer diagnosis reduces the risk of death by half and increases 5-year survival to 85 per cent vs. 61 per cent for those who continue to smoke8.
Non-smokers can also be at risk
Kidney cancer is also influenced by other factors beyond smoking; it is important to assess all lifestyle factors, as no one is immune.
Other key factors that can increase the risk of kidney cancer are5,9,10:
- Being aged 60+, most diagnoses are in those over 75
- Being overweight or obese
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Kidney stones or chronic kidney disease
- Long-term dialysis
- Diabetes
- Previous thyroid cancer
- Family history or genetic conditions
Those with multiple risks, especially a close family member with kidney cancer, should contact their GP, even without symptoms, for proactive checks. Early awareness improves outcomes and saves lives.
Claim 2: "Kidney cancer is hereditary"
The role of genetics in kidney cancer
Close relatives with kidney cancer or certain syndromes do raise risk, but hereditary cases are rare (around 3-5 per cent overall)11. These conditions include:
- Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome (VHL): up to 70 per cent risk of kidney cancer, usually multiple tumours on both kidneys by age 407.
- Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC): 2-5 per cent kidney cancer risk, but more often causes benign growth or cysts on the kidneys in 80 per cent of patients8.
- Birt-Hogg-Dubè syndrome (BHD): 15-30 per cent kidney cancer risk4.
- Hereditary papillary RCC (HPRCC): 3-5 per cent of RCC cases12.
Lifestyle still plays a larger role
For most people, environmental and lifestyle risks outweigh genetics.
Genetic screening is recommended only for high-risk families, with multiple family members who have been diagnosed13.
Key modifiable factors drive around 34 per cent of preventable cases9:
- Obesity: Accounts for approximately 25 per cent of cases5.
- Smoking: Causes almost 15 per cent of cases4.
- High blood pressure: Often lifestyle-linked, another major contributor.
Claim 3: "Only older adults get kidney cancer"
Age is a factor, but not a limit
Most diagnosis happens to those aged over 64, though younger adults can also develop kidney cancer. Recently, more and more people under 50 have been diagnosed due to an increased number of younger people having multiple risk factors14.
Why awareness matters at any age
Don’t dismiss symptoms like blood in urine or pain between the ribs, regardless of age. Early scans improve outcomes dramatically13. Late detection reduces treatment options, quality of life, and survivability.
See your GP if you have any concerns.
Claim 4: "Pain is always an early sign of kidney cancer"
Kidney cancer often develops silently
Kidney cancer often shows no early symptoms. Most cases of kidney cancer are found during scans for non-related issues15. This is because symptoms like pain or urine in the blood don’t appear until Stages 3 or 49.
Earlier symptoms may be more subtle, like weight loss, loss of appetite, high temperature, heavy sweating, tiredness, and general poor health. All of which could be attributed to something else, like stress, the flu, or ageing2,9.
The case for proactive screening
Don't wait for symptoms.
Multi-organ MRI scans, like those from Ezra, can spot early signs of cancer before symptoms arise. This is particularly useful for people with multiple risk factors, providing a quick, painless, and radiation-free screening service.
Early detection provides the most treatment options and saves lives. Do not ignore symptoms or risk factors.
Claim 5: "Diet and weight don’t influence kidney cancer risk"
Obesity is a well-established risk factor
Obesity has a strong and well-documented link to kidney cancer5,12.
Excess body fat promotes chronic inflammation and hormonal imbalances. For example, higher levels of oestrogen and insulin can encourage tumour growth16.
Studies show that for every five-unit increase in Body Mass Index (BMI), the risk of kidney cancer rises by around 25 per cent. Obesity contributes to roughly 25 per cent of UK kidney cancer cases: the higher the BMI, the greater the risk of kidney cancer16,17.
Obesity also increases the likelihood of related conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, adding to the overall risk of kidney cancer18.
Diet can indirectly affect risk
While no single food directly causes or prevents kidney cancer, diet plays a major role through its effects on weight, blood pressure, and inflammation.
Diets high in processed meats, red meat, salt, and ultra-processed foods can raise blood pressure and body weight, both of which increase the risk of kidney cancer19.
In contrast, whole-food, plant-rich diets help reduce these factors and support general kidney health20. Maintaining a healthy weight, staying well-hydrated, and avoiding excess salt can lower overall cancer risk and help prevent kidney cancer.
Conclusion
Kidney cancer risk stems from multiple modifiable factors like smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, diet, and age, rather than single causes. While genetics play a minor role for most, lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight with whole-food plant-rich diets, staying active, and managing blood pressure can prevent around 34 per cent of UK cases.
Don't wait for symptoms, assess your personal risk factors today, consult your GP, and consider a proactive Ezra multi-organ MRI scan for peace of mind. Book your scan today.
Understand your risk for cancer with our 5 minute quiz.
Our scan is designed to detect potential cancer early.
References
1. Cancer Research UK. Kidney cancer statistics | Cancer Research UK. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/kidney-cancer
2. Vasudev NS, Wilson M, Stewart GD, et al. Challenges of early renal cancer detection: symptom patterns and incidental diagnosis rate in a multicentre prospective UK cohort of patients presenting with suspected renal cancer. BMJ Open. 2020;10(5):e035938. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035938
3. The incidence, pathogenesis, and management of non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Accessed February 20, 2026. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10906063/
4. ASH. Smoking and Cancer. ASH. Accessed February 20, 2026. https://ash.org.uk/resources/view/smoking-and-cancer
5. Cancer Research UK. Risks and causes of kidney cancer. Accessed February 12, 2026. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/kidney-cancer/risks-causes
6. Naik P, Dudipala H, Chen YW, Rose B, Bagrodia A, McKay RR. The incidence, pathogenesis, and management of non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Ther Adv Urol. 2024;16:17562872241232578. doi:10.1177/17562872241232578
7. Liu X, Peveri G, Bosetti C, et al. Dose-response relationships between cigarette smoking and kidney cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2019;142:86-93. doi:10.1016/j.critrevonc.2019.07.019
8. Sheikh M, Mukeriya A, Zahed H, et al. Smoking Cessation After Diagnosis of Kidney Cancer Is Associated With Reduced Risk of Mortality and Cancer Progression: A Prospective Cohort Study. J Clin Oncol. 2023;41(15):2747-2755. doi:10.1200/JCO.22.02472
9. Kidney Research UK. Kidney cancer: symptoms, prognosis, treatment, causes and stages. Kidney Research UK. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://www.kidneyresearchuk.org/conditions-symptoms/kidney-cancer/
10. Macmillan Cancer Support. Kidney cancer - Macmillan Cancer Support. Accessed February 12, 2026. https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/kidney-cancer
11. Badran DA. Presentation: Patient with a family history of renal cancer — In the Clinic. GeNotes. Accessed February 20, 2026. https://www.genomicseducation.hee.nhs.uk/genotes/in-the-clinic/patient-with-a-family-history-of-renal-cancer/
12. Macmillan Cancer Support. Kidney cancer causes and risk factors. Accessed February 20, 2026. https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/kidney-cancer/causes-and-risk-factors-of-kidney-cancer
13. Tests and next steps for kidney cancer. nhs.uk. June 15, 2023. Accessed February 20, 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kidney-cancer/tests-and-next-steps/
14. Memon A, Salari Y, Bawa M, Zakikhani P. Increasing incidence of early-onset kidney cancer in young adults aged <50 years in England: an analysis of the national cancer registration data by age and gender, 1985–2020. BJC Rep. 2025;3(1):32. doi:10.1038/s44276-025-00149-y
15. NHS. Tests and next steps for kidney cancer. nhs.uk. June 15, 2023. Accessed February 12, 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kidney-cancer/tests-and-next-steps/
16. Venkatesh N, Martini A, McQuade JL, Msaouel P, Hahn AW. Obesity and renal cell carcinoma: biological mechanisms and perspectives. Semin Cancer Biol. 2023;94:21-33. doi:10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.06.001
17. Stemmer K, Perez-Tilve D, Ananthakrishnan G, et al. High-fat-diet-induced obesity causes an inflammatory and tumor-promoting microenvironment in the rat kidney. Dis Model Mech. 2012;5(5):627-635. doi:10.1242/dmm.009407
18. Cirillo L, Innocenti S, Becherucci F. Global epidemiology of kidney cancer. Nephrol Dial Transplant Off Publ Eur Dial Transpl Assoc - Eur Ren Assoc. 2024;39(6):920-928. doi:10.1093/ndt/gfae036
19. Ultra-Processed Foods and Health Outcomes: A Narrative Review - PMC. Accessed February 17, 2026. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7399967/
20. Chronic kidney disease - Living with. nhs.uk. October 3, 2018. Accessed February 20, 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kidney-disease/living-with/
Image taken from Fig. 2, and used under the Creative Commons license.
