Bladder cancer

Understanding bladder cancer

Relatively rare (only 3% and all cancers diagnosed are of the bladder) and often treatable, bladder cancer is more likely to occur in older men.

Regardless of age or sex, any blood in the urine, abdominal or lower back and/or changes in urination habits, including incontinence, should be investigated by a doctor.

Risk factors for bladder cancer include:

• Age – like most cancers, there is a correlation between age and incidence.

• Smoking.

• Occupational risks – it was discovered that people who worked with chemicals known as aromatic amines, had a significantly higher than average risk of developing bladder cancer.. Of course now this is known, preventative steps to avoid contamination are employed.

• Long-term use of indwelling catheters.