Understanding Bladder Cancer: Reducing Your Risk and Recognizing the Signs

Article written by Sapna Patel, MD, Medical Oncologist, Bronson Cancer Center

Bladder cancer is the sixth most common form of cancer in the United States and the most common cancer affecting the reproductive system and urination organs in both men and women. Some fast facts:

• In 2022, more than 81,000 new cases of urinary bladder cancers were diagnosed. Approximately 17,000 patients died of bladder cancers in 2022.
• Of those who passed away from bladder cancer, 71% were male and 29% were female.

Risk Factors

Some of the characteristics and lifestyle choices that may put you at an increased risk for developing bladder cancer include:

1. Sex: Those who are born male are more likely to develop bladder cancer.
2. Race: White people are more likely to develop bladder cancer. Black individuals are often diagnosed at later stages and face lower survival rates. The reasons for these differences are not clear but may involve genetic factors, lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking) and/or healthcare access and inequities.
3. Smoking: Smoking increases your risk by 3-4 times. Why? Tobacco smoke contains harmful chemicals that are absorbed into the bloodstream, filtered by the kidneys and excreted in the urine. As urine passes through the bladder, these chemicals can damage the lining of the bladder, increasing the risk of cancerous cell changes over time.
4. Family history: A history of bladder cancer in your family may increase your risk.
5. Radiation therapy: Previous radiation treatment to the pelvic region can raise your risk.
6. Chemical exposure: Contact with harmful chemicals, especially with jobs in the rubber, dye, leather and textile industries
7. Chronic infections: Long-term bladder infections (e.g. UTIs, HPV) or conditions like bladder stones can increase your risk.
8. Diabetes and obesity: Over time, high blood sugar levels and insulin resistance may contribute to inflammation and changes in cell growth, increasing the risk of developing bladder cancer.
9. Lynch syndrome: This condition may also predispose an individual to urothelial carcinoma, a type of bladder cancer.

Common Symptoms of Bladder Cancer

The most common symptom is blood in the urine. Other signs may include:

• Frequent or painful urination
• Lower abdominal pain
• Symptoms that mimic pelvic infections (e.g. urinary tract infection (UTI), bladder infection, kidney stones, etc.)

Detecting Bladder Cancer

If you are experiencing ongoing pain or bloody urine – especially if you have any of the risk factors mentioned above – it is important to talk to your primary care provider. They can run different tests to identify the source of your concerns.

Some tests they may have you complete include:

• Urine analysis: Checks for blood or infection.
• Cystoscopy: A small camera looks inside the bladder for tumors. Based on the results of this procedure, a biopsy will be needed.
• Imaging scans:
  • Computer tomography scan (CT imaging): Looks for tumors in the pelvic area.
  • Intravenous pyelogram: Looks for tumors in the bladder and upper urinary tract.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Provides a detailed image of the bladder and potential tumors.

Treating Bladder Cancer

Treatment depends on whether the cancer has spread to the bladder muscles, as well as the stage at which the cancer has been detected.

• Non-muscle invasive cancer: This means that the cancer is confined and has not infected the bladder’s muscles.
  • Surgical procedure: The first line of treatment for a non-invasive bladder cancer is a transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT). During this procedure, the doctor will use a scope and wire loop to cut away visible tumors from the bladder. Biopsies from this procedure can determine the type and stage of cancer.
  • Immunotherapy: Additional high-risk tumors can be treated using intravesical bacillus calmette-guerin (BCG) – an immunotherapy that stimulates the body’s immune system and ability to attack cancer cells in the cancer lining.
  • Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to kill cancer and stop it from spreading to other areas of the body. This may be used after TURBT.
• Muscle invasive cancer:
  • Surgery: If cancer has spread to the bladder muscle, surgery to remove the bladder (radical cystectomy) is often required.
  • Chemotherapy might be used before surgery to shrink the tumor.

Bladder cancer can come back after treatment. Regular check-ups with a urologist are essential to monitor your health.

Exceptional Cancer Care

If you’re diagnosed with cancer, trust southwest Michigan’s most preferred healthcare system. With locations in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, Bronson Cancer Center offers comprehensive care, combining expert medical teams, advanced technology and supportive resources at every stage of your cancer journey.

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About Sapna Patel, MD

As a medical oncologist at the Bronson Cancer Center in Battle Creek, Dr. Patel provides treatment for individuals with cancer and other bleeding disorders.

“I enjoy treating cancer patients using the newest treatments available to increase their life span and chances of survival. I make sure my patients have a good quality of life.”

Learn about Dr. Patel