About bladder and kidney cancer

Around 17,450 people in England are diagnosed with bladder or kidney cancer each year. Both cancers affect men and women, although they are more common in men. Most people diagnosed with bladder and kidney cancers are over 50, although people of all ages can be affected.

Smokers have a much higher risk of these cancers. Other things that increase your risk of getting bladder or kidney cancer include:

• being overweight or obese
• some jobs, because of exposure to certain chemicals
• other medical conditions, such as kidney failure
• a family history of cancer

Reduce your risk

A healthy lifestyle can help you reduce your risk of bladder cancer or kidney cancer. Some ways to stay healthy are:

• stop smoking – if you smoke, the best thing you can do for your health is to quit. There's plenty of support available from the NHS. Visit nhs.uk/smokefree or call 0300 123 1044.
• look after yourself – try to maintain a healthy weight and keep active. Swimming, cycling, dancing, walking – the more you can do, the better. Try to eat a healthy, balanced diet too, with plenty of fruit and vegetables.
• cut down on alcohol – drinking too much alcohol can lead to a number of health problems. By drinking less, you'll reduce your health risks.

For more information on how to reduce your risk of cancer, visit nhs.uk/reduce-your-risk.