Bladder Cancer Facts

Bladder cancer doesn't get a lot of attention, but it affects more people each year than leukemia and almost as many as melanoma (skin cancer). The American Cancer Society's annual Cancer Facts and Figures report estimates over 73,000 new cases will be diagnosed in 2012.

Bladder cancer is usually found in early stages when more easily treated. However, it also has a high recurrence rate, which means follow-up tests may be necessary for many years after initial treatment. Common symptoms for bladder cancer include blood the in urine (called hematuria), frequent and/or painful urination, back pain and pelvic pain. Blood in urine can appear dark yellow, bright red or cola colored. At times the blood can even be undetectable except through microscopic inspection.

It's not always clear what causes bladder cancer, but it is known that about half of all bladder cancers are linked to smoking. Smoking increases the risk for bladder cancer four times over a non-smoker's risk due to the chemicals in cigarettes that are processed and secreted through the bladder. Individuals who work in industries that use arsenic (textile, paint, dye, rubber and leather manufacturing) or live in communities with high levels of arsenic in the drinking water are also at an increased risk for similar reasons. Additional risks as reported by Mayo Clinic include:

• Aging. Bladder cancer can occur at any age, but it's rare in people younger than 40.
• Previous cancer treatment. Treatment with the anti-cancer drug cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) is known to increase the risk of bladder cancer. Radiation treatments focused on the pelvic area may also elevate the risk.
• Diabetes medication. People who take the diabetes medication pioglitazone (Actos) for more than a year may have an increased risk of bladder cancer. Other diabetes medication that contain pioglitazone include pioglitazone and metformin (Actoplus Met) and glimepiride (Duetact).
• Chronic bladder inflammation. Chronic or repeated urinary infections or inflammations (cystitis), such as may happen with long-term use of a urinary catheter, may increase your risk of a squamous cell bladder cancer.  
• Personal or family history of cancer. If one or more of your immediate relatives have a history of bladder cancer, you may have an increased risk of the disease, although it's rare for bladder cancer to run in families. A family history of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, also called Lynch syndrome, can increase your risk of cancer in your urinary system, as well as in your colon, uterus, ovaries and other organs.  

To read more information about bladder cancer you can visit the following links:

The Mayo Clinic 

American Urological Association