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Bladder Cancer
What is Bladder Cancer?
Bladder cancer is a common type of cancer that begins in the cells of the bladder, a hollow muscular organ in the lower abdomen that stores urine. The kidneys carry urine through the ureters to the bladder and out of the body through the urethra.
There are three types of bladder cancer
- Transitional cell carcinoma – cancer of the innermost tissue layer of the bladder. Most cancers of the bladder begin in the transitional cells.
- Squamous cell carcinoma – cancer of the thin, flat cells of the bladder. This type of cancer can develop after prolonged infection or irritation.
- Adenocarcinoma – cancer that begins in the glandular cells located in the lining of the bladder.
Bladder cancer can be described as:
- Superficial bladder cancer only affects the cells of the lining in the bladder
- Invasive bladder cancer spreads through the lining of the bladder to the muscle wall, nearby organs, and/or lymph nodes
According to the Illinois State Cancer Registry, in 2021, 3,147 new cases of bladder cancer were diagnosed in Illinois. Of these cases, 2,380 were in men and 767 in women. In 2021, 605 Illinoisans died of bladder cancer.
What are the Causes and Risks of Bladder Cancer?
The exact cause of bladder cancer is unknown; however, bladder cancer is often linked to exposure to certain chemicals and smoking. Bladder cancer occurs more often in men than women since men are most likely to smoke and work in the manufacturing industry. In addition, bladder cancer is more common in Whites than in any other race or ethnicity.
What are the Symptoms?
In the early stages, bladder cancer produces no signs or symptoms. One of the most common signs of bladder cancer is blood in the urine. Sometimes, the blood in the urine is not always noticeable. Some less common symptoms can include frequent urination, a feeling of urgency but not being able to go, and painful urination. If bladder cancer reaches a more advanced stage, symptoms can include bone pain, pelvic pain, unintended weight loss, and swelling of the legs.
How to Prevent Bladder Cancer
There is no definite way to prevent bladder cancer. However, you can reduce your risk by avoiding exposure to carcinogenic chemicals (people who work with hair dye, paint, metal, leather, and rubber are at increased risk), increasing your physical activity, drinking plenty of fluids, and not smoking.
Smoking damages every organ in the human body. More than 50% of bladder cancer cases are found in men who smoke and 20% in women who smoke. Eating a diet high in fried meats and fats and being overweight or obese also can contribute to bladder cancer.
Maintaining a healthy diet by consuming at least five daily servings of fruits and vegetables, particularly cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage, may reduce the risk of developing cancer.