American Indians and Alaska Natives
Large disparities have developed over the past two decades for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities for several health conditions, including kidney cancer. AI/AN populations have about an 80% higher kidney cancer incidence rate (new diagnoses) when compared to White populations.
Additionally, kidney cancer death rates have remained stable among AI/AN populations while death rates are declining among White populations. These gaps have been attributed to lower socioeconomic status, decreased access to health care, and lack of appropriate medical care when seen by a provider, leading to later stage cancer diagnoses in AI/AN populations.
Risk Factors
The following health conditions and behaviors can increase the likelihood of developing kidney cancer:
Health conditions
- Type 2 diabetes: AI/ANs have highest rates of type 2 diabetes of any major racial/ethnic group in the US
- The prevalence of diabetes (how common it occurs) is 2-3 times higher than that of Whites
- Poorly controlled diabetes can lead to chronic kidney disease
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD): kidney failure rates are about 3.5 times higher in the AI/AN community than in Whites
- CKD is not kidney cancer, but people with CKD can also develop kidney cancer
- High blood pressure: the prevalence of hypertension in AI/ANs is 23% higher than that in Whites
- People with hypertension have a higher likelihood of developing RCC even if treated with medication
- Obesity: Excess weight is estimated to account for 30-35% of kidney cancer cases in the general population
- AI/ANs are 1.5 times more likely to be obese than white adults1
Behaviors
- Cigarette smoking: AI/ANs are more likely to smoke cigarettes than other racial or ethnic groups in the US
- Roughly 25-30% of AI/AN adults smoke and have lower quit rates than other groups
- Physical inactivity: increases risk of developing obesity and high blood pressure
Environmental Exposures
- Inorganic arsenic in drinking water is a carcinogen linked to kidney and other cancers
- AI/AN communities are more likely to be exposed to higher concentrations of arsenic in water
Additional risk factors that increase your chances of being diagnosed with kidney cancer include:
- Family history of kidney cancer
- Other genetic conditions
Signs and Symptoms
Most people diagnosed with kidney cancer have similar symptoms. These include:
- Blood in your urine
- Pain in the side or back that does not go away
- Tiredness/Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Unintentional weight loss
Each of these symptoms on their own does not mean you have kidney cancer. They may be a sign of other health issues. If you have any of these symptoms, talk to your healthcare team to see if you need further testing or treatments.
Take Action
There are actions you can take that may help reduce your risk of getting kidney cancer. These include:
- If you smoke, quit. The CDC has resources to help
- If you have high blood pressure or chronic kidney disease, make sure to follow your doctor’s recommendations on how to manage it
- Lifestyle interventions for obesity and diabetes prevention: Programs such as the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) may be helpful
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating well, engaging in physical activities you enjoy, and reducing stress
You can also support your health by staying engaged with your health care team. This includes:
- Help your doctor understand your unique risk for kidney cancer
- Continue, or start, to get regular physicals from your doctor
- Watch out for signs and symptoms of kidney cancer, and tell your care team if you have any
Resources
References:
- Li, Jun, Hannah K. Weir, Melissa A. Jim, Sallyann M. King, Reda Wilson, and Viraj A. Master. “Kidney Cancer Incidence and Mortality Among American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States, 1990–2009.” American Journal of Public Health 104, no. S3 (June 2014): S396–S403. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4035892/.
- Martinez-Morata, I., Bostick, B.C., Conroy-Ben, O. et al. Nationwide geospatial analysis of county racial and ethnic composition and public drinking water arsenic and uranium. Nat Commun 13, 7461 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-35185-6
Information on this page last reviewed: May, 2025
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Keep Learning:
The Kidney Cancer Association provides educational literature for anyone impacted by kidney cancer.