Genetic News Weblog

Whenever a person begins to experience and recognize his or her own symptoms of cancer, the signs can definitely create a lump in the throat at just the thought of a malignancy diagnosis and then the likely ensuing cancer treatments. This concern is even intensified at the prospect of cancer in the bladder.

Bladder cancer symptoms are very basic - blood in the urine and a sudden change in urination habits. So why, then, are so many instances of the disease going undiagnosed?

Approximately 54,300 new cases of bladder cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. every year, and over 12,000 people die of the disease. It is the sixth most common cancer in the country. And though the five-year survival rate sits at an impressive 81 percent, the chances for full recovery are dramatically improved if the disease is caught early.

This is why understanding and detecting bladder cancer symptoms is so critical. To learn more about the different symptoms associated with the disease, along with possible risk factors - keep reading.

Evidences and Signs Associated with Bladder Cancer

Bloody Urine: The primary symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine. While bloody urine can often be an indicator of other bladder problems (kidney cancer, kidney stones, bladder infections), it’s almost always exhibited in patients diagnosed with bladder cancer.

Urination Patterns: Most people diagnosed with bladder cancer complain of a frequent urge to pee, possible urinary incontinence and difficulty making it through the night without having to use the bathroom multiple times. Unfortunately, most patients with bladder cancer are older and don’t recognize this symptom as a potential indicator of a more serious problem.

Risk Factors for Bladder Cancer

Smoking: Like many cancers, smoking tobacco products is a major cause. In fact, smokers are twice as likely to develop the disease. Among men, smoking is the cause of 50% of bladder cancer deaths. In women, that number drops to 30%.

Cancer-causing substances (carcinogens) in tobacco smoke are absorbed from the lungs and get into the blood where they are filtered by the kidneys and concentrated in the urine.

Exposure at the Work Place: Aromatic amines, types of industrial chemicals which are often used in the dye industry, are considered a major cause of bladder cancer.

Other industries that use organic chemicals can also put workers at an increased risk - for example, rubber makers, leather factories, textiles and paint and printing companies.

Race: Bladder cancer is typically more common in Caucasians than other races.

Age: The risk for developing bladder cancer increases with age. The average age for those diagnosed with the disease is around 68 years. Meanwhile, less than 1% of bladder cancer patients are age 39 and under.

Chronic Bladder Problems: Patients who have a long-term history of kidney stones, urinary infections, bladder stones or other forms of chronic bladder irritation may be at an increased risk for developing bladder cancer.

If the risk factors listed above apply to you, it’s important that you be able to not only recognize bladder cancer symptoms (bloody urine, changing urination habits), but that you also act on them and seek the advice of a physician.

Tags: Cancer //