Bladder Cancer
Risk Factors
- Smoking – Smoking is the greatest risk factor.
- Work Exposure – Some chemicals have been linked.
- Race / Ethnicity – White ares about twice as likely.
- Age – About 9 out of 10 people with bladder cancer are over the age of 55.
- Gender – Much more common in men than in women.
- Chronic bladder irritation & infection
- Personal history of bladder (or other urothelial) cancer
- Bladder birth defects – Before birth, there is a connectino between the belly button & the bladder.
- Genetics & family history
- Earlier cancer treatment – Some drugs or radiiation used to treat other cancers can increase the risk.
- Arsenic – Arsenic in drinking water has been linked.
- Not drinking enough liquids – People who drink lots of liquids each day have a lower rate of bladder cancer.
Warning Signs & Symptoms
- Blood in the Urine
- Changes in Bladder Habits or Irritative Symptoms:
- Frequency – Having to urinate more often than usual.
- Dysuria – Feeling pain or burning during urination.
- Urgency – Feeling as if ytou need to go right away, even when the bladder is not full.
- Lower Back Pain
- Unable to Urinate
- Chronic Bladder Irritation
- Reduced Bladder Capacity
Certain signs and symptoms could suggest that a person might have bladder cancer. But tests are needed to confirm this. And keep in mind that these symptoms are most often caused by something other than cancer. At this time, there is no sure way to prevent bladder cancer. The best way to lower your risk is not to smoke. Smoking is believed to cause about half of bladder cancer cases among men and women. However, if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, the best way to find it early is to report any possible signs or symptoms of bladder cancer to the doctor right away.
Early Detection saves Lives
This information was provided by the American Cancer Society. © 2013 American Cancer Society, Inc. All rights reserved. The American Cancer Society is a qualified 501[c][3] tax-exempt organization. www.cancer.org