Experts are urging increased awareness of kidney cancer's subtle warning signs as data reveals a significant rise in diagnoses among individuals under 50. New figures from NHS England show that cases of kidney cancer in this age group climbed by 12% between 2023 and 2024, from 1,095 to 1,227 cases.
Historically, kidney cancer has been more prevalent in older populations, with approximately three-quarters of diagnoses occurring in those over 60. However, medical professionals have observed a gradual increase in younger adults for several years, though the reasons remain unclear. A particular concern is the disease's elusive nature, with symptoms in younger patients often misattributed to less serious conditions.
"It's very easy to miss, notoriously so," said Andrew Greaves, general manager of the charity Kidney Cancer UK. He noted that many initial warning signs can be confused with more common ailments such as persistent back pain, night sweats, or general fatigue.
Kidney cancer is among 18 types of cancer that saw an increase in diagnoses among those under 50 between 2023 and 2024, according to data published by NHS England. While other cancers like mesothelioma, prostate, small intestine, bone sarcoma, and pancreatic cancer also rose, kidney cancer affects more young Britons than these other five combined.
Adding to the challenge, kidney cancer is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage. About one in five patients discover they have the disease only when it has progressed to stage four, significantly reducing survival chances. Fewer than 15% of patients diagnosed at this stage live for more than five years.
Commonly reported symptoms include pain in the back, side, or flank, which can be easily mistaken for muscle strain or nerve issues. Approximately one-third of patients report experiencing such pain before diagnosis, according to Greaves. Around a quarter of patients report persistent fatigue, and about one in six experience night sweats.
The most definitive sign, blood in the urine, can also be triggered by factors like intense exercise or certain medications, potentially delaying diagnosis. Greaves added that some women with these symptoms are initially told they are experiencing menopausal issues. "These symptoms could be anything," he stated, emphasizing that even a combination of symptoms might not immediately suggest kidney cancer.
The vague nature of these symptoms presents a challenge for general practitioners, who may initially treat patients for other conditions. "What I think a lot of GPs probably do is say, 'it could be kidney cancer, but we'll treat you for [something else] and let's see how it goes'," Greaves explained. "And that's why about a quarter of people we surveyed said they were initially treated for another condition before being diagnosed with kidney cancer."
While the exact cause of the rise in kidney cancer among younger adults is unknown, one hypothesis is that increased medical imaging for unrelated issues leads to more incidental findings. Over half of kidney cancers are now discovered accidentally during scans for other health concerns.
"In other words, they were a scan for something else, and somebody spotted something on the kidney and said 'hang on, wait, that's not right'," Greaves said. However, a genuine increase in cases due to unknown factors cannot be ruled out.
Regarding prevention, Greaves stated there is no "magic formula." Expert guidance suggests avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and maintaining a healthy diet.
Overall, there were 373,574 new cancer diagnoses across all types (excluding most common skin cancers) in 2024, an increase of 11,833 from 2023. This equates to an average of 1,021 diagnoses per day.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, affirmed the health service's commitment to ensuring early diagnosis and treatment. He encouraged the public to accept invitations for screening programs and to contact their GP promptly if they have concerns about potential cancer symptoms.