Bladder cancer

Risk factors

Several risk factors for bladder cancer have been established.

• Smoking: is the strongest risk factor for bladder cancer. Smokers develop bladder cancer twice as often as non-smokers.
• Chemical exposure: painters, hairdressers, machinists, printers, and truck drivers are among those whose exposure to various chemicals increases their risk for bladder cancer. Others include individuals who work with aromatic amines, a group of chemicals that are used in the production of rubber, printing materials, textiles, and paint products as well as in the treatment of leather. Arsenic in drinking water has also been linked to an increased risk of the disease.
• Ethnicity: white individuals of European origin are twice as likely to develop bladder cancer as are African Americans and Hispanics. Asians have the lowest rate of bladder cancer.
• Age: the risk of bladder cancer increases with age.
• Gender: the incidence of bladder cancer in men is more than three times greater than in women.
• Genetic factors: those with a first-degree relative who has developed bladder cancer are at greater risk.
• Reoccurrence: Bladder cancer can reoccur. Those who have had it once are at a greater risk of developing it a second time.
• Other risk factors: include chronic bladder infection, bladder birth defects and not drinking enough liquids.

Prevention and treatment

The most important preventive measures are to refrain from smoking and to take recommended caution with chemicals. Drinking plenty of liquids, especially water, dilutes toxic substances that may be found in a concentrated form in urine and flushes them out of the bladder more quickly. Since arsenic is known to affect bladder cancer, household wells and other private water supplies should be tested for high arsenic levels. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of bladder cancer.

Treatment of bladder cancer depends on a number of factors, including the type and stage of the cancer, overall health and treatment preferences. Most people undergo surgery to remove the cancer and surrounding tissue. If the tumor has invaded nearby tissue, the whole bladder may be removed and reconstructive surgery performed so that urine can be expelled. If further treatment is required, it may include chemotherapy, radiation and/or immunotherapy (aimed at stimulating the immune system to fight the remaining cancer cells).

More information

You can find more information about bladder cancer by talking with your physician and visiting these Web sites:

• The American Cancer Society
• National Cancer Institute
• MayoClinic.com on bladder cancer
• MedlinePlus Article on bladder cancer

This content was last reviewed on February 09, 2010.