TEHRAN – Regular screening, adhere to nutritional guidelines and avoiding risky behaviors are effective ways to keep your kidneys healthy and prevent kidney cancer, a health ministry official said.
Approximately 90% of cases of kidney or renal cancer remain asymptomatic at early stages, which doubles the importance of regular screening, the Ministry of Health website cites Mohammad-Ali Amir-Zargar as saying.
He made a statement on World Kidney Day, which is observed on March 13th each year.
The day aims to educate the public and policymakers on kidney health, kidney disease prevention and treatment. It highlights the urgent need for a global strategy to combat kidney disease.
“Earthropy and urine tests can diagnose kidney cancer after visiting a doctor because of symptoms that include masses in the area of the kidney, blood in the urine, pain in the sides or abdominal areas,” Amir Zarger noted.
Behavioral factors such as cigarettes, hookah and opium consumption are linked to an increased risk of cancer, he added.
Other major risk factors for kidney disease are diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Therefore, a healthy diet can significantly reduce the risk.
Kidney screening is essential from fetal development to old age. Some kidney cancers, such as Wilms tumors, are common among children. Therefore, screening tests such as ultrasound and urine tests are recommended for all ages.
The cost of these tests is much lower than the cost of treating cancer at an advanced stage, and the formula emphasizes that it can save patients’ lives.
Referring to methods of treating the disease, he stated that the renal mass could be benign or malignant. If detected early, the malignant mass can be removed by surgically. However, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy are methods used to treat advanced kidney cancer.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle, engage in regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, maintaining stress, having mental peace, avoiding smoking, taking drugs, and undergoing regular tests are the best ways to prevent kidney cancer.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is estimated to affect approximately 850 million people worldwide. If not detected and treated in a timely manner, CKD can progress to renal failure, leading to severe complications and early mortality. By 2040, CKD is predicted to be the fifth major cause of lost long-standing lives, highlighting the urgent need for a global strategy to combat kidney disease.
World Kidney Day 2025 is “Is your kidney okay? – detect early and protect your kidney health.
Early detection policies for at-risk individuals must be implemented globally to reduce healthcare costs associated with renal failure and improve quality of life.
Primary care clinicians and frontline healthcare professionals should be trained to integrate CKD tests into daily care in high-risk populations, even when time and resources are limited.
CKD testing should be integrated into existing community interventions (eg, targeting maternal health, HIV, tuberculosis, and other non-communicable diseases) to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
Testing can also occur outside of healthcare settings, such as city halls and markets, depending on local regulations and available resources.
Efforts should also focus on implementing educational programs that raise awareness, promote health and empower patients among the general population.