THE number of people diagnosed with kidney cancer each year is at a record high – partly fuelled by obesity, figures show.
Kidney cancer cases hit more than 9000 in 2009, treble the figure of just under 3000 in 1975.
It is now the eighth most common cancer in Britain, climbing from 14th place in 1975.
Experts believe that, after smoking, obesity is the most preventable risk factor for developing the disease, increasing risk by 70%.
Cancer Research UK, which released the figures, estimates a quarter of kidney cancer cases in men and 22% in women are linked to being overweight, as they produce higher levels of hormones which can fuel cancer.
Professor Tim Eisen, from Cancer Research UK, said: "It is best to prevent the problem in the first place."
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