If you’re among the approximately 79,000 Americans who learn they have kidney cancer this year, you probably have concerns about what the diagnosis means for your future. For many people, the prognosis is quite good. Treatment advancements, including promising clinical trials for people with metastatic kidney cancer, are helping people with kidney cancer live longer.

Still, it is physically and mentally challenging to live with a chronic illness, as well as the side effects of certain kidney cancer treatments. In addition, having cancer makes you more prone to a mental health disorder like depression or anxiety. Your doctor or a mental health counselor can help you cope with these emotions. 

Kidney cancer survivors on staying positive

Whether you’re newly diagnosed with kidney cancer or in survivorship mode, it can be helpful to hear how others are managing the disease. Here, members of the Inspire community share how they find hope while living with a life-changing chronic illness like kidney cancer. 

Be an informed patient.

“The best thing that you can do to make yourself feel better is to understand what is happening to you. A good doctor will take the time to answer your questions in terms that you can understand.” – Inspire member

Advocate for yourself.

“Hi a..just wanted to give a SHOUT out to all fighting with kidney cancer and those fighting with somebody!! Stay strong and don't be afraid to ask your doctor questions , no question is stupid!! Be your own ADVOCATE , you know yourself and how you or your loved one feels. Try drink fluids and get rest!! Prayer and friends help me so much!! We gotta keep fighting TOGETHER!!!” – Inspire member

Have faith in your doctors and the promise of new treatments.

“There is plenty of room for hope. With all of the new treatments that have shown up since 2005, several Doctors we respect have told us the average Overall Survival statistics for Kidney Cancer stage 4 patients has already doubled and they are expecting still more. The key seems to be finding a Doctor who is current on Kidney Cancer and wired in to the clinical trials. Most of the new TKI treatments are very expensive, but work quite well to reduce any metasteses...for a period of time. Then, when resistance develops, they move to one of the other 7 treatments approved currently. Many of the people on this forum and in our support group have been laddering these available treatments for years. However there is still no CURE. For some 3% to 7% of Clear Cell Kidney Cancer, IL-2 has been an apparent cure and we know of two people who went 15 and 24 years post treatment without recurrence and started in worse shape than you.This is a great time for you to get educated about your disease… In short, there is a whole lot of hope and it is getting stronger every day that the doctors keep working towards a cure for Kidney Cancer. Best wishes and get educated.” – Inspire member

Have hope.

“Always stay hopeful, I also have strong faith and that helps me. I know that things are going to get better and God did not intend for us to be sick. He wants us to be happy.,. ..that is good that tumor was contained, mine was too. Its a lot to go through, still doesn't seem real sometimes that I had cancer. Wishing you well.” – Inspire member

Let family and friends lift you up.

“A friend sent this to me and I would like to share it with you! "Look to this day, for it is life. For yesterday is already a dream and tomorrow is only a vision. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope." -Sanskrit Proverb” – Inspire member

Celebrate treatment advancements.

“… In the past year alone, three of my friends have been diagnosed with cancer. Each time I heard the news I was sad, scared, and felt an overwhelming desire to help. I know many of you know what this is like: the rush of emotions, concern, and wanting to do something to make the person better. And recently I have realized I am thankful for some of the ways a cancer diagnosis is different today than it was even 20 short years ago: Our society has changed in ways that make it easier to discuss cancer. While taboos and stigma still exist, it is less of a hushed topic.” – Inspire member

Nix the negativity.

“Many people have someone in their life who does give a lot of encouragement, but alas.....some have no one to do that job, and without someone doing that job....we have to do it ourselves. How the heck do we do that? We do it by self-talk! You yourself know the areas where you need an encourager, so you need to build self up, in those areas…  Negative talk HURTS even if it is just coming from self, it is every bit..if not more damaging, when it comes from self. We are with self 24 hours a day...who wants to live with a negative, nasty person....even for 4 hours! We need positive and encouraging talk....all of the time. Yes, in the beginning you will think this is a dumb game, but once you get the hang of it you will begin to see that self responds to the encouraging talk…” – Inspire member

Encourage yourself and others.

“Sometimes we all just need a little reminder to keep us going. A little pep-talk to remind us exactly what we are after. Everyone Needs Encouragement. So many people in this world feel discouraged, pressed in, cornered, unworthy, unlovable, or completely overwhelmed by the circumstances of their lives. You can make a difference in one moment if you will honestly and sincerely encourage them. The word Encourage means to Inspire with Strength, Courage, Spirit or Hope. Encouragement can help someone push forward to accomplish a lifelong dream. Encouragement can be the difference maker. Not everybody can be a leader, but everybody can be a good follower and everyone can be an Encourager! As encouragers can be motivators, but primarily an encourager always sees your full potential. There are many people who do not know their thoughts, words, and actions help create the world they see and experience. Encouragers simply encourage you to think, say, and do the things that feel good and right to you. They know that if you are true to your purpose, you will feel better and your world will also change for the better. You will experience more joy in your life and less pain.” – Inspire member

Embrace the good news.

“I have learned heaps and heaps from members here but this is the one that keeps me 'afloat'... 'The only way to handle this game is to develop a mindset that if it sounds like good news, it IS good news, and forget the rest. It CAN spread any time it wants to, on or off any treatment you can name. Whether it will, nobody knows, no number of testimonials or other people's experiences can change what happens, and it just doesn't pay even to let that stuff enter your mind. Easier said than done, but that's the route to sanity.' … This post (which I often read) has indeed helped me keep my sanity.” – Inspire member

Be proactive.

“Good for you for going to get that second opinion. With any of the cancers, that is a good proactive way to deal with the disease, but especially with Kidney Cancer. Because KC is only about 3% of all cancers, many oncologists are not up to speed with the latest technologies that have drastically changed since 2006 (and are continuing to change). It sounds like you are getting good support from your new doctor. You may find it helpful to attend support meetings with other Kidney Cancer survivors… You can also check out support meetings that may fit your location and schedule. Good luck with your KC journey.” – Inspire member

Stay positive.

“I love reading the stories and hearing the questions that you all are sharing! There are others going through the same things as I am! Please keep sharing and keep a positive attitude! It really helps!!!” – Inspire member 

Give thanks.

“I am thankful for my friends and family who were there for me in person and in spirit during a difficult time. Even though I plowed ahead on my mission to get past surgery, they understood I would need a soft place to land. I'm so glad they knew what I needed more than I did! I'm grateful for my physicians for their care and support. I feel pretty fortunate.” – Inspire member

Look for the good in all life throws you.

“I'm thankful for the gift of life and love. I've had Cancer 3 times in the last 20 years and yet survived all 3 bouts. I'm thankful for my friends and family who have loved and supported me through hard times. I'm thankful for great Doctors and medical professionals who have provided excellent and caring medical treatment and support. Lastly, I'm thankful for this forum and the support it provides to all of us.” – Inspire member

Spend time with those you love.

“I have become closer to my family. I am sorry that it took cancer to realize what an amazing family I have, but now, everything has changed for the better. We laugh more, love more and live more. I know that I can count on my family to take care of me no matter what my issues. I feel so blessed.” – Inspire member

Sources

• Depression. American Cancer Society. February 202. 

• Key statistics about kidney cancer. American Cancer Society. January 2022.

Disclaimer

Member comments are lightly edited for length and to remove identifying information but are otherwise reproduced as they appear in the community as part of public posts.

This content is for general informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of any organization or individual. The content should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider about any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.