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 9,000 in 2009, treble the figure of just under 3,000 in 1975. It is now the eighth most common cancer in Britain, climbing from 14th place in 1975.
After smoking, obesity is the most preventable risk factor for developing the disease, increasing the risk by 70%.
Cancer Research UK, estimates that about a quarter of kidney cancer cases in men and 22% in women are linked to being overweight.
Overweight people produce higher levels of some hormones which can help fuel cancer. In 2009, almost a quarter of adults in England were obese. A further 44% of men and 33% of women were overweight.
While some of the increase in cases could be down to better detection of kidney tumours, evidence suggests there has also been a rise in the number of advanced kidney cancer cases - suggesting other factors are also in play.
