Living with kidney cancer: how to get help?

After the announcement of the doctor on the existence of a serious and frightening disease is often panic. Kidney cancer is not a common disease, but why me? Several questions arise and shoving the head of family, the future ... Here's our advice on living with this disease.
Kidney cancer is a malignant tumor that develops at the expense of kidney cells. It is a rare cancer, which often involves adults in the sixties in Europe, men are the most affected.

Risk factors known to be involved in the development of kidney cancer include smoking and high blood pressure with antihypertensive drugs.

Other factors have also been implicated as obesity, prolonged standing and some products such as asbestos or oil exposure.

The role of heredity is evoked when kidney cancer develops in an individual under 40 years.

Kidney cancer may be asymptomatic for a long time. The discovery is often unexpected after renal function tests.

Surgery is the treatment of choice, if the condition of the patient permits, but if the information and conditions are met. It consists of a removal of the affected kidney, the patient can live very well with one kidney but controls and medical surveillance must be strict and regular.

The prognosis of kidney cancer depends primarily on the evolution since its discovery stage, and the general condition of the patient. Thus, it is difficult to tell the prognosis, appropriate treatment and survival without knowing the size of the tumor, its extension, the presence or absence of lymph nodes, the presence or absence of metastases.

After the announcement of the doctor, it is often difficult for the patient to accept and recognize the existence of the disease. The support of a friend or family is then necessary because the patient is more involved in the care and treatment, most driving the treatment is effective.

Although the patient is the main actor involved in the disease, it is advisable to get help from those around him and his family and the staff of the medical team. Psychological support is essential, and the patient may consult with a psychologist to be accompanied.

There are also associations or trade groups that are available for both the patient and his relatives. These discussion groups are often in close contact with the medical team or care centers and allow the patient to communicate with other patients with kidney cancer.

Currently, advances in medicine have made great progress in the treatment and management of cancer, and have improved the quality of life of patients by increasing the survival rate. However, treatments are always very long and require full commitment and patience on the part of the patient and his entourage. Moreover, accepting the disease is not always easy, especially when the disease causes a lot of change in the daily lives and quality of life.

Here are some tips that will live better with kidney cancer:

- Understanding the disease easily allows the patient to be involved in the different treatment modalities

- Learn to accept his illness and adapt (before and after treatment)

- Recognize needs and identify individuals or caregivers will be able to help you

- Tell, discuss and share with a loved one sharing group, a support group or a support group

- Do not hesitate to seek help from a health care professional, a psychologist, a help center, an association

- Contact the League against Cancer (in your area)