Healthy Living Does Not Always Guarantee Freedom from Kidney Cancer, Doctor Explains Role of Genetic Factors
Whilst adopting a healthy lifestyle such as not smoking, maintaining ideal weight, exercising regularly, and consuming nutritious food is important for maintaining good health, healthy living does not always guarantee that someone will be free from the risk of cancer, including kidney cancer.
Dr Nur Melani Sari, a paediatrician consultant specialising in haematology-oncology and member of the Coordinating Working Unit of Paediatric Haematology-Oncology of the Indonesian Paediatricians Association, explained that cancer is a disease with very complex causes. It is influenced not only by lifestyle but also by genetic factors and various biological processes occurring in the body.
“Often there are questions about why someone who has maintained a healthy lifestyle can still develop cancer. In fact, we all have the potential to develop cancer because every cell in our body continuously divides and develops,” said Dr Nur Melani Sari.
According to her, during the cell division process there are many mechanisms at work to ensure cells develop normally. However, in some conditions, this process can be disrupted, causing cells to develop abnormally and potentially become cancerous.
“The process from normal cells to abnormal cells is algorithmically very complex. Many factors play a role, from genetic factors within the DNA to environmental factors that influence gene expression,” she explained.
She noted that genetic factors play an important role in cancer formation. The genetics referred to are not only related to DNA structure inherited from parents but also the environmental conditions surrounding DNA, known as epigenetics.
“Genetics can be directly related to cell blueprints or DNA, but some are also influenced by the DNA environment or epigenetics. So cancer causation is not just one factor alone,” Dr Melani said.
The complexity of these factors means scientists continue to conduct research to more deeply understand the mechanisms of cancer formation.
“Although research continues to develop, there remain factors that cannot be fully explained. So there is indeed something of an ‘X factor’ in the process of cancer formation,” she stated.
In the context of kidney cancer in children, Dr Melani added that its causes differ from cancer in adults. In children, cancer is more often related to disrupted cell development when organs are still growing.
One of the most common types of kidney cancer in children is Wilms tumour or nephroblastoma. This condition typically appears in infants through early school-age children and is related to abnormal kidney cell development processes.
Because of its connection to cell development, cancer in children generally cannot be prevented directly like other lifestyle-triggered diseases.
“For cancer in children, to date there is no primary prevention that can truly be implemented. Meaning we cannot ensure that a child will not develop cancer,” she explained.
Nevertheless, early detection remains a key factor in increasing the chances of recovery. According to Dr Melani, childhood cancer actually has a fairly high cure rate when detected at an early stage.
“If detected earlier, treatment can be administered more quickly and the chance of recovery is also greater,” she said.
She also emphasised the importance of parental vigilance regarding changes in a child’s physical condition, including unusual symptoms such as abdominal swelling, prolonged fever, or changes in urine colour.
Additionally, routine health examinations are recommended, particularly for children with certain conditions or genetic syndromes that increase cancer risk.
“For certain genetic syndromes, children do need to undergo periodic examinations, for example through routine ultrasounds, to ensure that any changes can be detected early,” she noted.
Whilst healthy living cannot fully prevent cancer, Dr Melani stressed that such habits remain important to adopt from an early age. Healthy eating patterns, sufficient physical activity, and a healthy environment continue to provide significant benefits for children’s overall health.
“A healthy lifestyle remains important because it helps maintain overall body health. However, we must also understand that cancer is a complex disease and cannot always be explained by just one factor alone,” she concluded.
According to recent studies, the number of cancer cases in Indonesia is predicted to increase by more than 70% by 2050 if preventive efforts and early detection are not strengthened from the outset.