Bladder Cancer - What You Need To Know
A type of tumour that begins in the cells lining the inner surface of the bladder, bladder cancer can be divided into two parts: non-muscle-invasive and muscle-invasive.
The first kind is considered less serious and requires only a cystectomy to remove it. The second type, muscle-invasive or otherwise known as T3 lesions, is more dangerous because they have a high chance of spreading to other organs in your body.
The way bladder cancer occurs is still unknown. But, what doctors know is that patients with the following conditions are at high risk of developing this disease:
Genetic problems, like Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis.
• Exposure to toxic fumes: Studies show that people who work in factories that expose them to chemicals are at a higher risk of developing bladder cancer, especially when they are exposed for long periods. Even military personnel are at risk because of the toxic chemicals they are exposed to in an explosion. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, they have reason to believe that exposure to certain herbicides might increase one's risk for bladder cancer.
• Infection: Experts believe that some bacteria, such as the one that causes gonorrhoea, also increase a patient's risk of developing bladder cancer. In addition, those who have diabetes or a low white blood cell count are at a higher risk.
Risk Factors for Bladder Cancer
• People with an advantageous immune system. Those who have a strong and healthy immune system can help protect them against this disease by fighting off any invading bacteria and viruses before they reach the bladder's inner parts.
• Age is also a factor. Age is the only risk factor that affects all races of people equally, regardless of their level of exposure to carcinogens in their environment. The average age of the first case of bladder cancer in America was 47 years old for women, and 55 years old for men.
• Smoking, particularly over 30 years. Studies show that smokers are at least twice as likely to catch this disease compared to nonsmokers. Some studies even show that smokers who have been smoking for over 30 years are at a much higher risk.
• Working in an environment where you are exposed to toxic fumes, chemicals, or herbicides long-term. This also includes military personnel who are exposed to certain toxins when they were in combat.
• Genetic vulnerability. Those with a family history of this disease are susceptible to get bladder cancer, particularly if they have a genetic condition like Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis.
• Male gender. This is because men develop this disease twice as often as women do. This may be because men tend to drink and smoke more than women who do not inhale tobacco smoke.
Signs and Symptoms of Bladder Cancer
• Lower abdominal pain. One of the most common symptoms of bladder cancer is lower abdominal pain. This could be because the tumour grows in the lining of the bladder causing irritation or pressure when you urinate.
• Blood in your urine. If you have blood in your urine, it might be a sign that your body has suffered some damage due to the presence of cancer cells in your bladder.
• Painful urination. Bladder cancer can also cause a frequent urge to urinate, especially at night or when you are less active during day time. You might even feel pain or a burning sensation while passing urine.
• Sudden change in bowel movements. Because of the tumour location, you might experience occasional constipation alternating with diarrhoea.
• High fever. If you have a high fever without any other noticeable cause, it may be because of bladder cancer progression.
• Loss of appetite. This happens because cancer cells also grow in your stomach and intestines, affecting your gut's ability to absorb nutrients from food.
• Feeling weak and tired all the time. If you feel like you don't have enough energy to do even simple tasks like walking or getting out of bed, it could mean that the tumour has also metastasized to your bone marrow and is using up all available energy stores in the body.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the spreading rate of Bladder cancer?
Bladder cancer is usually invasive and can spread at a surprisingly fast rate. It might not destroy other tissues, but the rate is usually high.
Is Bladder cancer a death sentence?
With proper treatment and follow-ups, you can live your life cancer-free. There have been many types of research and bladder cancer can be recovered from.
