In terms of kidney cancer mortality, Lithuania is the first in the world: it is not so difficult to protect yourself

For the first time, Lithuania joined other countries that celebrated World Kidney Cancer Day by encouraging everyone to move more. On that occasion, those gathered exercised in the Bernardino Garden.

The American National Cancer Institute reports that physical activity is as high as 23 percent. Reduces the risk of kidney cancer. Unfortunately, half of the Lithuanian population is immobile. Insufficiently active and three out of four people with kidney cancer, because many patients are convinced that they need to save, not move. Although research has shown that moderate exercise can not only reduce fatigue, anxiety and depression caused by cancer, but also improve treatment results.

The number of people with kidney cancer in the world has started to increase since the early 1980s. It has been more common in older people, but cancer is now increasingly diagnosed in the 1950s. In Lithuania, there have been cases of kidney cancer even in adolescents.

Head of the Chemotherapy Department of the National Cancer Institute dr. Birutė Brasiūnienė says that Lithuania ranks second in the world in terms of kidney cancer incidence and, unfortunately, first on the list in terms of mortality. In the European Union, the average number of deaths from kidney cancer is 2.9 per 100,000 inhabitants, and in Lithuania – 5.1 – almost double.

Around 700 people contract kidney cancer in our country every year. Men are more than twice as likely to develop kidney cancer as women, and three times more likely to die. Apparently, this is because the most common risk factors (smoking, obesity, high blood pressure) are more common in men. However, it should not be forgotten that kidney cancer can sometimes be inherited.

“Survival depends a lot on the stage at which the disease is identified and treated,” says the doctor.

If a localized tumor is detected and appropriate treatment is started, approximately 95 percent survive for five years. sick people AND if advanced kidney cancer is found, only 12 percent survive. patients

Head of the Urology Department of the Urology Center of the Santara Clinics of the Vilna University Hospital dr. Albertas Čekauskas states that until the disease spreads, the patient, unfortunately, does not feel anything bad. “The first symptoms, such as blood in the urine, pain, appear when the disease has already spread,” says the doctor.

For this reason, the disease is often detected randomly by examining the patient for other diseases.

“To avoid unpleasant surprises like kidney cancer, it would make sense to do an abdominal ultrasound more often. But keep in mind that there is much we can do to prevent kidney cancer. This disease is caused by being overweight, immobility, high blood pressure, smoking, “says the doctor.

On World Kidney Cancer Day, celebrated for the fifth time on June 18, doctors spread the importance of physical activity: easy daily exercise, going to the store instead of driving, climbing stairs instead of taking the elevator , cycling to work instead of taking the bus, and many other simple activities, and you may never know how serious, dangerous, and painful kidney cancer disease is.

The World Health Organization recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week. Physiotherapist Algirdas Papickas, who, according to Pilates methodology, directs the bodybuilding lessons to the young ballet artists of the M. K. Čiurlionis School of Arts, says: dedicate at least half an hour to movement every day.

“It is important not to rush or take on too much load,” says the specialist. The load should be determined individually, as much as the person can, and gradually increased: it should be difficult, but comfortable: the person should be able to speak during physical activity. If you are completely still, start with a walk. If spending half an hour at a time is too difficult, divide the time into three 10-minute parts. Those who are stronger must also challenge themselves to increase their physical activity: fast walking, swimming, cycling, or playing tennis.
“The activities you do should be enjoyable, because it is necessary to move every day. If you don’t feel pleasure, you will soon stop, ”says A. Papickas, emphasizing that half an hour of physical activity every day is a minimal burden.

Doctor at the Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Dietetics Center of the Vilnius Clínicas Santara University Hospital, doc. Edita Gavelienė remembers that one of the most important factors that can lead to kidney cancer is diet.

“Obesity is a risk factor for kidney cancer. Often the diet of such people is abundant, but of little value, says the specialist.

Processed meat products have been shown to help cancer because they are rich in sulfur compounds: nitrates, nitrites, salty, smoked. Fats, especially of animal origin, should not be eaten in large quantities, and red meat should be eaten once a week and white meat 2-3 times.

Proper nutrition is also very important for people with cancer.

“A person with cancer needs to maintain muscle mass and weight because weight loss worsens the condition.” Both healthy and healthy people are subject to all the rules of a healthy diet, says the doctor. – Oncology patients have many food-related myths that some products cannot be eaten. Studies show that some foods can contribute to the development of certain localized cancers, but they are not healthy foods. “