08/09/2026
Understanding your kidney cancer diagnosis matters 🔎
🔎 Understanding your kidney cancer diagnosis matters
When people better understand their kidney cancer diagnosis, they can feel more confident asking questions, understanding their options and taking part in decisions about their treatment and care.
The 4th IKCC Global Patient Survey found encouraging improvements in patients’ knowledge and understanding. In 2024, fewer people reported that important aspects of their diagnosis were not explained in a way they could understand, including treatment recommendations, treatment options, cancer stage and risk of recurrence.
Understanding your diagnosis also means having access to the right information about other aspects of care, including genetic testing.
Around 10–16% of people diagnosed with kidney cancer have a hereditary form, and certain factors can increase the likelihood, including a younger age at diagnosis, a family history of kidney cancer or related cancers, rare kidney cancer types and bilateral disease.
The survey asked people whether genetic testing had been discussed with them, with responses ranging from being offered testing to asking about it themselves, choosing not to be tested, or being unsure whether it had been discussed.
Improving health literacy and access to understandable information can help people feel more informed and empowered throughout their kidney cancer journey.
Explore more:https://ikcc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025_GPS_Highlights_Reports_IKCC_A4_interactive.pdf
