The Governor of Illinois has proclaimed March is Kidney Cancer Awareness Month. The Kidney Cancer Association has also proclaimed March Awareness Month Internationally. The Proclamation can be seen on KCA's facebook page at: http://tinyurl.com/4b7qtup If you would like a copy e-mailed to you I will be happy to do this also.
The National Cancer Institute estimated that in 2010 there were 58,240 new cases and 13,040 deaths from kidney cancer. The nation/world needs to be educated regarding this disease. PLEASE consider writing an article in the month of March listing the symptoms of kidney cancer.
Signs and Symptoms Associated with Kidney Cancer: Blood in urine ("hematuria") Pain in the back just below the ribs A mass that can be felt Unexplained weight loss which can sometimes be rapid Intermittent fevers or night sweats Fatigue and lethargy Fever that is not associated with a cold or the flu Pain in other parts of the body if the cancer has spread
While kidney cancer normally affects men over 60, more young people are being diagnosed. Kidney cancer is among the 10 most common cancers in both men and women.
My daughter Lori Shew lost her battle to kidney cancer 1/18/2005. She would have been 41 on 3/14/2011. Lori was misdiagnosed at the age of 32, 4 weeks after her 4th child was born. Her OB/GYN told her for 3 months he "wasn't concerned" it was just a severe urinary infection. That "urinary infection" turned out to be a watermelon sized tumor that weighed more than 10 pounds.
Doctors need to be further educated regarding kidney cancer! People need to realize that if a doctor does not take their symptoms seriously, they should find one that WILL listen! This information could save your life or the life of a loved one.
###
