Bladder cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the bladder, most often in the cells that line the inside of the bladder. The disease usually affects older adults, however you can develop bladder cancer at just about any age. While the disease is common among both men and women, the risk is higher in men.

Bladder cancer statistics

·       It is estimated that for 2015 in the United States, there will be about 74,000 new cases of bladder cancer diagnosed and about 16,000 deaths from the disease.

·       Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men.

·       Men are about 3 to 4 times more likely to get bladder cancer during their lifetime than women.

·       Whites are diagnosed with bladder cancer almost twice as often as blacks.

·       Bladder cancer occurs mainly in older people. About 9 out of 10 people with this cancer are over the age of 55. The average age at the time of diagnosis is 73.

Bladder cancer risk factors

·       Smoking. Smoking may increase your risk of bladder cancer by causing harmful chemicals to accumulate in your urine.

·       Increasing age. Your risk of bladder cancer increases with age. Bladder cancer can occur at any age, but it's rarely found in people younger than 40.

·       Being Caucasian. Caucasians have a greater risk of bladder cancer compared to other races.

·       Being male. Men are more likely to develop bladder cancer than women are.

·       Exposure to certain chemicals. Chemicals linked to bladder cancer risk include arsenic and chemicals used in the manufacture of dyes, rubber, leather, textiles and paint products.

·       Previous cancer treatment. Treatment with the anti-cancer drug cyclophosphamide increases your risk of bladder cancer. People who received radiation treatments aimed at the pelvis for a previous cancer have an elevated risk of developing bladder cancer.

·       Taking a certain diabetes medication. People who take the diabetes medication pioglitazone (Actos) for more than a year have an increased risk of bladder cancer. Other diabetes medications contain pioglitazone, including pioglitazone and metformin (Actoplus Met) and pioglitazone and glimepiride (Duetact).

·       Chronic bladder inflammation. Chronic or repeated urinary infections or inflammations (cystitis), such as might happen with long-term use of a urinary catheter, may increase your risk of a squamous cell bladder cancer.

·       Personal or family history of cancer. Having a personal history of bladder cancer increases the risk of getting it again. If one or more of your immediate relatives have a history of bladder cancer, you may have an increased risk of the disease, although it's rare for bladder cancer to run in families.

Bladder cancer symptoms

·       Hematuria, or blood in the urine; urine may appear dark yellow, bright red or cola-colored. May also appear normal, but blood may be detected in a microscopic examination of the urine aka urine culture.

·       Frequent urination

·       Painful urination

·       Back pain

·       Pelvic pain

Tests to diagnose bladder cancer:

·       Physical exam and assessment of family history

·       Internal exam: the doctor inserts lubricated, gloved fingers into the vagina and/or rectum to feel for lumps

·       Urinalysis: A specific test to check the color and state of the urine

·       Cystoscopy: This procedure allows the doctor to look inside the bladder, in order to identify abnormal areas.

·       Intravenous Pyelogram: A series of x-rays of the kidneys, ureters and bladder to determine if cancer is present.

·       Biopsy: This removes cells or tissues from the organ to be viewed closely under a microscope by a pathologist. Signs of cancer are carefully looked at and a biopsy for bladder cancer is usually done at the same time of a cystoscopy.

Treatment options

·       Surgery

·       Radiation

·       Chemotherapy

·       Intravesical therapy