Bladder Cancer

Bladder Cancer

Anna Hammock

How does one's genetic or health choices contribute to the problem?

People with a history of smoking (cigarette, cigar, pipe, and environmental tobacco smoking), a family history of bladder cancer, or who have had regular exposure to industrial chemical may be at increased risk for bladder cancer. Also the effect of arsenic in drinking water, air, food, occupational hazards, and tobacco could help as well.

What is it?

More about it

In Europe, bladder cancer is the 5th most commonly diagnosed cancer type and the 9th leading cause of cancer mortality. It affects men more frequently than women. Typical of solid tumors, bladder cancer incidence increases with age. Tumors of the bladder rarely occur before the age of 40 – 50, arising most commonly in the seventh decade of life. The median ages at diagnosis are 69 years for men and 71 for women.

Bladder cancer is any of several types of cancer arising from the epithelial lining of the urinary bladder.

Bladder cancer is the 10th most common cancer worldwide, with the highest rates reported in Europe, North America and Australia, and accounting for an estimated 261 000 new cases diagnosed and 115 000 deaths each year

What causes it?

The exact cause of bladder cancer is unknown. It occurs when abnormal cells grow and multiply quickly and uncontrollably, and invade other tissues.

What are the symptoms?

There are a number of disparate symptoms that might indicate bladder cancer like fatigue, weight loss, and bone tenderness. However, you should pay particular attention to the following triggers:

•blood in the urine, painful urination, frequent or urgent urination, and pain or burning with urination.

•pain in the abdominal area and in the lower back

Can it be cured/how?

Bladder cancer can be cured.Treatment for bladder cancer generally includes conventional therapies such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Patients may also undergo biologic therapy or immunotherapy. These treatments work by enhancing your own body's capacity to fight cancer.

How can you help?

• Be supportive
• Be positive

Sources

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/bladdercancer/detailedguide/bladder-cancer-what-is-bladder-cancer

http://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/condition/2800215

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/kimmel_cancer_center/types_cancer/bladder_cancer.html

Methods of Prevention Cont.

Avoid exposure to arsenic. Have your drinking water tested. Drink bottled water if you think that your water is contaminated with arsenic.

• Eat healthy foods. Experts believe that what you eat and drink may help prevent bladder cancer.

• Choose a actionset.gif low-fat, low-cholesterol diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. For more information, see the topic Weight Management.
• Avoid dehydration. Increase your fluid intake, particularly water. Water dilutes cancer-causing chemicals.

Methods of Prevention

Bladder cancer cannot be prevented, but you may be able to reduce some of your risk for getting it.

• Stop smoking. Cigarette smokers are much more likely to get bladder cancer than nonsmokers. For help on how to quit smoking, see the topic Quitting Smoking.

• Avoid exposure to industrial chemicals, such as benzene substances and arylamines. Occupational exposure from working with dyes, rubbers, textiles, paints, leathers, and chemicals raises your risk for bladder cancer.

How is it treated?

Your doctor will decide what treatment to provide based on the type and stage of your bladder cancer, your symptoms, and your overall health. Bladder cancer treatments may include:

Stage 0 and Stage I Bladder Cancer Treatments

•surgery to remove the tumor from the bladder

•chemotherapy or immunotherapy (medication that causes your immune system to attack the cancer cells)

Risk Factors Cont.

• The risk of bladder cancer increases with age. About 9 out of 10 people with bladder cancer are older than 55.
• Bladder cancer is much more common in men than in women.

Risk Factors

• Smoking is the most important risk factor for bladder cancer. Smokers are at least 3 times as likely to get bladder cancer as nonsmokers. Smoking causes about half of the bladder cancers in both men and women.
• Certain industrial chemicals have been linked with bladder cancer. Chemicals called aromatic amines, such as benzidine and beta-naphthylamine, which are sometimes used in the dye industry, can cause bladder cancer.
• Whites are about twice as likely to develop bladder cancer as African Americans. Hispanics, Asian Americans, and American Indians have slightly lower rates of bladder cancer. The reasons for these differences are not well understood.