Prevention and Early Detection of Bladder Cancer

Here’s what you need to know

We don’t know what causes bladder cancer, and there is no routine screening test for bladder cancer. However, we do know there are several risk factors. Avoiding the risk factors that you control may help you reduce your risk of getting bladder cancer.

The biggest risk factor is smoking. Smokers are almost twice as likely to get bladder cancer as non-smokers.

Other risk factors that you may be able to control:

• Exposure to aromatic amines, such as benzidine and beta-naphthylamine, which are sometimes used in the dye industry
• Exposure to other chemicals, if good safety practices aren’t used in the workplace. The highest risk industries are makers of rubber, leather, textiles, paint products and printing companies. Other workers who may be at risk are painters, hairdressers, machinists, printers and truck drivers (because of exposure to diesel fumes). If you have been exposed to chemicals in the past, such as in a former workplace, be sure your primary care doctor knows
• People with chronic urinary infections, kidney and bladder stones, and other causes of chronic bladder irritation are at higher risk for bladder cancer, but these problems do not themselves cause bladder cancer
• High doses of certain chemotherapy drugs, and having received radiation therapy in the pelvic area
• Arsenic in drinking water
• Low fluid consumption

• Race -- Caucasians get bladder cancer twice as often as African-Americans and Hispanics, and Asians have an even lower incidence.
• Age -- The older you are, the greater your risk. Most people with bladder cancer are between the ages of 65 and 85.
• Gender -- Men get bladder cancer four times as often as women.
• Having been born with a bladder defect
• Family history of bladder cancer -- this may account for up to 1 percent of the disease.

Can Bladder Cancer Be Detected Early?

There is no routine screening test for bladder cancer. Blood in the urine can be a sign of bladder cancer, but most of the time it isn’t. Blood is usually found in a routine urinalysis. You would not usually have enough blood in your urine to be able to see it. See your doctor for regular checkups.

There is a test that has been shown to be partially effective in detecting cancer in people at high risk. If you are at high risk, talk to your doctor about what you should do.

If you are not at high risk, report any bladder difficulties to your doctor right away. A change in bladder habits can be a sign of bladder cancer. It is often a sign of some other bladder problem. Either way, you need to see your doctor.

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