MedicineWorld.org Oncology - Cancer - bladder cancer - risk factors
Your gateway to information on bladder cancer
What causes bladder cancer?
Various substances and conditions were shown to predispose to bladder cancer (known as risk factors). Chronic irritation of the bladder by many substances excreted in urine may increase the risk of bladder cancer. More established risk factors for bladder cancer are discussed below.
This is the most significant risk factor for bladder cancer. In fact, smokers have two to twice the risk of developing bladder cancer compared to nonsmokers. Some genetic factors that you have inherited may increase your risk of developing bladder cancer related to smoking. Once a smoker develops bladder cancer, if he or she quit smoking, the risk of the cancer coming back will be reduced.
Bladder cancer is more common in people above 50 years of age.
As shown above in the statistics, bladder cancer is about three times more common in men than in women.
Bladder cancer is twice as common in whites compared to the African American population.
Some people may have inherited genetic factors that are not very much capable of removing the toxic materials. Such people will have higher exposure to these chemicals and this could lead to increased risk of bladder cancer. People who have close family members with diagnosis of bladder cancer have a higher risk of bladder cancer.
Exposure to some industrial chemicals has been linked to bladder cancer. Persons who work in the textile, dye, rubber, leather, print, or paint industries are at higher risk for the disease because of their exposure to a class of organic chemicals called aromatic amines.
- Chronic Bladder Problems
Long term irritation of the bladder due to chronic bladder problems, like bladder infections, and bladder and kidney stones may lead to increased risk of bladder cancer.
Chemotherapy with the drug cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) or Ifosphamide may lead to increased risk of bladder cancer.
- Personal History of Bladder Cancer
People who had bladder cancer in the past runs a higher risk of second bladder cancer. Some times the second cancer can occur in the inner lining of the kidney or ureters. People who had bladder cancer in the past need close follow up to detect these second cancers.
- Bladder Birth Defects
Certain bladder birth defects are associated with increased risk of bladder cancer.
|Bladder cancer: resources
Bladder cancer risk factors
Do we know what causes bladder cancer? (American Cancer Society)
Risk factors for bladder cancer (American Cancer Society)
Genetics of bladder cancer (Genetics home reference)
Urinary Bladder: U.S. Racial/Ethnic cancer patterns (National Cancer Institute)
|Bladder cancer: Selected reading
The Guide to Living With Bladder Cancer (Mark P. Schoenberg , Johns Hopkins Genitourinary Oncology)
Beating Cancer With Nutrition (by Patrick Quillin, Noreen Quillin)
Bladder cancer: treatment options (by Medifocus)
Cancer of the Urinary Bladder (by William L. Caldwell )
Renal, Bladder, Prostate and Testicular Cancer (by CPC Oncologic Urology )
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