Kidney Cancer: Prevent & Diagnose Early

Kidney Cancer is one of the top ten most common cancers in men and women in the United States.  While it is more prevalent in men, is has been increasing in women over the past decades.  There are well known risks factors for people who develop this disease. Here are some things you can do to prevent and diagnose early.

Kidney Cancer: Prevent & Diagnose Early

Smoking:

Smoking tobacco doubles the risk of developing kidney cancer, and is believed to be the cause of more than 30% of new cancers diagnosed each year.

Age:

Kidney cancer is most commonly diagnosed in adults 50-70 years old

Obesity: 

There has been a link between Kidney Cancer and being overweight

Gender:

Men are more likely than women to be diagnosed with kidney cancer

Race:

African Americans have been found to have higher rates of kidney cancer

High Blood Pressure:

Hypertension has been linked to kidney cancer

Chronic Kidney Disease:

Adults with kidney disease are more likely to have kidney cancer.  This risk increases with patients who require long term dialysis

Family History:

If you have a first degree relative with kidney cancer (grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents, siblings, cousins) who developed the disease before age 50 you are at increased risk.

Certain Medications:

Medicines such as Aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen when used in excess amounts over years are associated with to the development of kidney cancer.

What are the functions of your Kidneys?

Your kidneys are a pair of organs found in your back, just above your pelvis. In an adult, each kidney is approximately the size of a fist.  Your kidneys filter your blood to remove waste and excess water to create urine.  They also make hormones that control blood pressure, tell our body to make more red blood cells.

Kidney Cancer Prevention

The best way to prevent kidney cancer is to control the main factors linked to the disease.  These include:

• Quit smoking
• Lowering Blood pressure
• Maintaining healthy weight
• Avoid excessive amounts of pain and inflammatory medicines (ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen)

Kidney Cancer Diagnose Early & Screening

Currently, there is not a special blood test or physical exam to diagnose kidney cancer.  The most common way kidney cancer is now diagnosed is by imaging studies (usually Computed Tomography scans or Ultrasounds) which are performed for other reasons.

Unfortunately, studies have not shown a benefit to perform these imaging studies as a screening test. In the past, kidney cancer was found by the association of three things:

• blood in the urine
• flank pain
• palpable mass in the back

Common Findings

The most common finding leading to kidney cancer diagnosis is blood in the urine, or hematuria.  There are two types of hematuria.

• Gross hematuria, is when you can visually see blood, or blood clots in your urine.
• Microscopic hematuria, is when testing of your urine demonstrates the presence of blood, but you cannot visual see it when you void.

If you see blood in your urine, or if your doctor tells your there is blood in your urine on a routine physical exam, you should having studies to look at your kidneys.

Most Common Cancer – Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer remains one of the most common cancers in both men and women.  Maintaining a healthy weight, avoid smoking, and controlling your blood pressure are ways to minimize your risk.

You should see your primary doctor annually for checkups and physical exam.  If you see blood in your urine, or are told there is blood in your urine when it is tested, you should be seen by a board certified Urologist.  If you are experiencing weight loss, or new flank pain, these could also be the first signs of kidney cancer.  A board certified Urologist will be able to order proper testing to screen for Kidney Cancer.

Adult & Pediatric Urology in Omaha & Council Bluffs

• Have you seen your doctor lately?
• You ever seen blood in your urine?

Contact UroHealth Partners  today to make your appointment. For more questions and answers in regards to Kidney Cancer, click here.

Smoking is harmful to your body in lots of ways, but it can have an impact on urologic conditions in particular. There are several different conditions that smoking can impact.   Smoking irritates the bladder and it can definitely make urologic symptoms worse. In addition, it can cause bouts of coughing that can lead to urinary leakage, or incontinence. Let’s take a look at each of these conditions one by one.

How Smoking Affects Urologic Conditions?

Kidney Stones

A kidney stone is a condition that affects more than a million people every year. There is evidence that cigarette smoking can make you more susceptible to kidney stones.

Infertility

Smoking has also been associated with an increased risk of infertility.  The chemicals in cigarettes can harm the genetic makeup of sperm and eggs.

Incontinence & Overactive Bladder

Incontinence and overactive bladder are two similar conditions that can be exacerbated by smoking. As mentioned, the coughing from smoking can cause leaking, but smoking irritates the bladder and can cause you to need to go more often.

Interstitial Cystitis

This condition affects a lot more women than men, but in both cases, smoking can be a contributing factor. This condition is also known as painful bladder syndrome.

Bladder or Kidney Cancer

Cancer is always the worst-case scenario when it comes to side effects from smoking. Most people think of lung cancer when they think of types of cancers caused by smoking, but the fact is that smoking can increase the risk of both of these types of cancers as well. The harmful chemicals in cigarettes are collected in the urine and in the kidneys and can cause several health problems – with bladder and kidney cancer among them.

UroHealth Partners

Occasional ED is not uncommon. Many men experience it during times of stress. However, frequent ED can be a sign of health problems that need treatment. It can also be a sign of emotional or relationship difficulties that may need to be addressed by a professional. It is a treatable condition. There are a number of ED treatments available. The type of treatment generally depends on the underlying cause of ED and range from counseling and lifestyle changes to drugs and surgery. If you suffer from ED, it is important to talk to your doctor. A doctor can help identify the cause of your ED and figure out the most appropriate treatment.

Clinical Trials in Omaha

Our Clinical Research Department was developed to fulfill our mission to provide high-quality patient centered care. When existing treatments fail or significantly lower your quality of life we seek out new, safe methods that give you more options and make further advancements in the fields of urology and urogynecology.

This bladder cancer clinical research treatment taking place in Omaha is testing new treatment methods. They are being developed by pharmaceutical and bio-technical companies. By volunteering, you may receive new investigational treatments that may help us all understand your condition.

Please click this link and fill out the form and we will contact you back right away.

Impotence, also known as erectile dysfunction, can definitely be a side effect of prostate cancer treatment, even though it is not caused by actually having prostate cancer. There are several different treatments that can increase the risk of this condition, including surgery to remove the prostate gland, radiation therapy, hormone therapy and more.

Does Prostate Cancer Treatment Cause Impotence?

How Soon Does ED Occur?

The severity and length of time between the treatment and the occurrence of ED varies depending upon the treatment. For surgery, one may notice some degree of erectile dysfunction immediately. There are some techniques that the surgeon may use that spare the nerves that help with erections, depending upon the severity and location of the cancer and judgement of the surgeon.

One may have a more gradual onset of erectile dysfunction associated with radiation therapy. Generally, ED may not develop until months after having radiation therapy. There are some types of radiation treatment that may minimize the risk of erectile dysfunction after therapy including radioactive seed implants or intensity modulated radiotherapy. 3-D conformal radiotherapy may also decrease the occurrence of erectile dysfunction.

Finally, hormonal therapy may cause erectile dysfunction to occur within a few weeks after the initiation of treatment because of low testosterone levels. There are certain medications that can be used to combat this issue including Cialis, Levitra and Viagra. Libido, or sexual interest, also decreases as a result of hormonal therapy.

Treatment for ED

Urological Cancers are one of the most common forms of cancer and also one of the most curable types if detected early. The key to detecting and eradicating these forms of cancer are regular screenings. Learn more about the various types of urological cancer.

UroHealth Partners

Occasional ED is not uncommon. Many men experience it during times of stress. However, frequent ED can be a sign of health problems that need treatment. It can also be a sign of emotional or relationship difficulties that may need to be addressed by a professional. It is a treatable condition. There are a number of ED treatments available. The type of treatment generally depends on the underlying cause of ED and range from counseling and lifestyle changes to drugs and surgery. If you suffer from ED, it is important to talk to your doctor. A doctor can help identify the cause of your ED and figure out the most appropriate treatment.

Clinical Trials in Omaha

Our Clinical Research Department was developed to fulfill our mission to provide high-quality patient centered care. When existing treatments fail or significantly lower your quality of life we seek out new, safe methods that give you more options and make further advancements in the fields of urology and urogynecology.

This bladder cancer clinical research treatment taking place in Omaha is testing new treatment methods. They are being developed by pharmaceutical and bio-technical companies. By volunteering, you may receive new investigational treatments that may help us all understand your condition.

Please click this link and fill out the form and we will contact you back right away.

• Why would I want to join clinical research studies in Omaha NE and not get seen/treatment in the clinic?

Most times, patients will receive more in-depth and detailed care as well as close supervision from the Clinical Research Coordinator and physician while enrolled in a clinical trial. This is due to amount of data and feedback that needs to be collected during a trial to get new treatments on the market.  Your honest feedback helps to provide the evidence to support the safety and effectiveness of these various treatments. Clinical trials also give providers more options for their patients.

• What do I have to do if enrolled into a study?

In general, be honest and forthcoming about your medical history and your experience during the study. Show up to all of the required appointments, as this helps provide more accurate data. Remember to bring certain items to your appointments if required, this may include a medication list, or supplies given at previous visits.

• How many visits will there be?

The amount of visits will vary from study to study. Some clinical trials are only a day and some last for weeks, months, or years.

• How long are the clinical studies Omaha NE visits?

The length of each visit varies per study.

• What are the benefits of participating in a clinical research studies in Omaha, NE?

You may or may not receive any direct benefit from a study. Results from a study treatment can vary from person to person. The study may help with your symptoms but that cannot be guaranteed.  However, your honest feedback is very beneficial to the future of new medical treatments.

• How will the treatments vary from standard of care treatments?

There isn’t much variance from standard of care treatment when you participate in a trial except that you may come to the clinic more often or have more procedures performed during the visit.  However, this is beneficial, as you are receiving more in-depth care during a trial than you would otherwise.

• What are the side effects to the clinical trial Omaha treatment?

Side effects will vary from trial and indication.

• Will I be compensated?

Many studies do offer compensation for your time and travel, but this is not always a guarantee.

• What will happen if I don’t want to continue to be in the study?

It is your choice to participate in a study and you are free to withdraw at any time.  Discontinuation from the trial will in no way effect your regular medical care. If you do choose to withdraw from a study, you will need to inform your study doctor or research coordinator as soon as possible.  If there are any supplies required for the study, you may be asked to return those to the study site.

• What kind of clinical studies in Omaha, NE are available? 

We offer clinical trials for many urologic indications such as overactive bladder (OAB), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), male and female sexual dysfunction, interstitial cystitis (IC), bladder cancer, prostate cancer, etc.   We do not always have a study enrolling for each indication, but you are always welcome to contact us to be put on a list for a future study.

UroHealth Partners Clinical Research Studies in Omaha, NE

Our Clinical Research Department was developed to fulfill our mission to provide high-quality patient centered care. When existing treatments fail or significantly lower your quality of life we seek out new, safe methods that give you more options and make further advancements in the fields of urology and urogynecology.

Please click this link and fill out the form and we will contact you back right away.

Overactive Bladder (OAB) is a condition involving bothersome urinary symptoms including involuntary leakage of urine. OAB affects between 7% and 27% of men, and 9% and 43% of women. However, involuntary leakage of urine this is associated with a sudden need to urinate, is more common in women. Because of these symptoms, patients experience a negative impact on their quality of life.

OAB Treatments

OAB is treated with behavior therapy and drugs, but many patients remain in poor control after trying these treatments.

The third-line treatments available today include:

• bladder pacemaker
• Botox bladder injection
• Nerve Stimulation

Bladder Pacemaker

The bladder pacemaker involves two relatively invasive procedures.

Botox Bladder Treatment

Botox injection is a relatively new therapy involving the injection of a drug known by the name, “Botox,” into the bladder. It works well on many, but it can lead to urinary tract infections and urinary retention problems.

Nerve Stimulation 

Nerve stimulation is a device therapy that works similarly to the bladder pacemaker, but DOES NOT involve surgery. It involves the insertion of a small needle above the ankle and the sending of an electrical signal to the nerve under and near the needle.

Nerve stimulation works well on patients, but requires them to come back for repeated treatment sessions throughout their lives.

What is a Clinical Trial?

A clinical trial is a research study evaluating new ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat diseases. Clinical trials involve volunteers to help show that the therapy is safe and that it works. Trials are essential to the advancement of medicine. By participating in a trial, you may gain access to a new investigational treatment while helping others who may benefit from the findings in the future. In this trial, patients are reimbursed for travel expenses by the clinic.

As Institutional Review Board (IRB), also called an Ethics Board, reviews clinical trials. Each hospital or clinic where a clinical trial is to take place has an IRB made up of health-care professionals, patient advocates, and community leaders who review the trial for safety and participant rights and welfare. The trial discussed below has been reviewed by your clinic’s authorized IRB.

Clinical Trial for Overactive Bladder

This clinical trial will test whether a device for OAB work and whether it is safe. If your doctor is suggesting that you may be a clinical trial candidate for this new OAB study, participation in the clinical trial may provide an opportunity to try the investigational device.

The trail will evaluate a small device that affects the nerve impulses know to affect the brain’s control of the bladder.

Clinical Research Procedure 

The therapy involves a procedure that can be done under local anesthetic to play the small device, about the size of a US nickel, in the lower leg. After replacement, the device applies a stimulation therapy. The device is intended to replicate the relevant electrical signal of nerve stimulation, but the device is implanted and the therapy is automated so that patients are not required to visit the doctor’s office for every session. This trial will test whether the device is safe and whether it works for the treatment of overactive bladder.

Participating in Nerve Stimulation OAB Clinical Study

To participate in this trial in Omaha, your doctor will need to evaluate your:

• general health
• medical history
• conditions

To see if you meet the criteria for the trial. It should take two visits to determine if you are a candidate for this trial. It should take two visits to determine if you are a candidate for the trail. If you meet the trial criteria, you will be provided with an “informed consent” document explaining the risks and potential benefits of this trial. Be sure to read over this information carefully.

In short summary, participation involves the implantation of a small device in your lower leg, turning the device on, keeping a urination diary, and visiting the clinic monthly for at least four months after the device is implanted. It is important to fully understand the purpose of the trial and what to expect before you decide whether or not you want to participate. You should ask the study coordinator or doctor questions that you have and know that the choice to participate is yours.

UroHealth Partners in Omaha, NE

Our Clinical Research Department was developed to fulfill our mission to provide high-quality patient centered care. When existing treatments fail or significantly lower your quality of life we seek out new, safe methods that give you more options and make further advancements in the fields of urology and urogynecology.

Please click this link and fill out the form and we will contact you back right away.