Bladder Cancer Awareness

Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers. It occurs mainly in people who are 55 years and older.  Bladder cancer starts in the cells of the bladder.  It most often affects the urothelial cells of the bladder, that form the lining of the entire urinary tract.

Signs of Bladder Cancer

One of the most common signs of bladder cancer is blood in the urine.  Even if bleeding is occasional or short-lived and there is little or no pain associated with the bleeding, patients should not consider blood in the urine to be normal and should seek medical attention to determine its cause.

Risk Factors Associated With Bladder Cancer

• Smoking: The greatest risk factor.
• Chemical exposure:  Some dyes, rubber, leather, printing materials, textiles and paint products have been linked to an increased risk for bladder cancer.
• Race: Caucasians are twice as likely to develop bladder cancer.
• Age:  The risk of bladder cancer increases as you age.
• Gender:  Men are diagnosed with bladder cancer more often than women.
• Personal history of bladder cancer:  Your risk increases if you or anyone in your family has had bladder cancer.

Most bladder cancers are diagnosed at an early stage, when the cancer is highly treatable.  Urothelial carcinoma (transitional cell carcinoma) is the most common type of bladder cancer.

If you suspect anything out of the ordinary, reach out to your CHI Health provider.