Introduction. The main risk factors of numerous diseases result from abnormal health behaviors and among others are causing development of malignant tumors, including kidney cancer. One of the elements of health behaviors is to determine the state of nutrition, in order to early detect disorders and to undertake interventions. Aim of the study. Determination and comparison of health behaviors with the nutritional status of patients with diagnosed kidney cancer. Material and methods. The study was conducted among 100 people who underwent surgery because of kidney cancer. The research used the method of analysis of medical documentation and a diagnostic survey with a tool – Health Behavior Inventory. Results. The average index of health behaviors for all respondents was 75.56 points. The highest results were obtained in the category of preventive behaviors (mean 3.89), then in the category of positive mental attitudes (mean 3.34) and in the category of health practices (mean 2.91). The lowest result was obtained in the category of proper eating habits (mean 2.49). The relationship between age, BMI, and the category of normal eating habits (p ≤.001) was observed as well as between age, BMI, and the category of a health practice (p < 0.001). Conclusions. The lowest results were obtained in the category of proper eating habits. Despite obtaining the lowest results in the category of normal eating habits in the whole group, among patients with a higher BMI and in the elderly patients, normal eating habits were found at a higher level, but their health practices remain at a low level.

Key words: health behaviors, BMI, kidney cancer.