At the OSUCCC – James, cancer research experts continually focus on studying bladder cancer and its causes. In fact, the OSUCCC – James consistently paves the way to learning more about what causes bladder cancer — leading to even more highly targeted prevention, care and treatment.
Bladder cancer symptoms
Bladder cancer that has just formed or that is early in its growth, may not cause any symptoms. Bladder cancer symptoms can also mimic other illnesses, such as urinary tract infections, so it’s important to see your doctor if you experience new or worsening symptoms.
The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine in both men and women. Men are more likely to develop bladder cancer. For women, urine in the blood can be due to other factors, including menstruation or menopause. If you have blood in your urine, your doctor can order specific tests to determine the cause.
When other symptoms do occur, they may include the following:
- Frequent urination
- Pain, burning or irritation during urination
- Lower back pain
- Pelvic pain
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to visit your doctor to determine the cause. If you have symptoms, you should tell your doctor, especially if symptoms have continued for longer than a few weeks.
What causes bladder cancer
The exact cause of bladder cancer is unknown. Usually, abnormal cells replicate and grow in the lining of the bladder, causing a tumor or mass to form.
The likelihood of this happening to you depends on several risk factors. A risk factor is anything that increases your chances of developing bladder cancer.
Bladder cancer risk factors
Smoking is a significant risk factor for bladder cancer. Carcinogens (cancer-causing agents) from cigarette smoke can become concentrated in the urine and over time can damage the bladder’s lining. Studies suggest that smokers are two to four times more likely to develop bladder cancer than nonsmokers.
Other risk factors include:
- Having a family history of bladder cancer
- Having certain changes in the genes that are linked to bladder cancer
- Being exposed to certain chemicals in the workplace
- Past treatment with certain anticancer drugs, such as cyclophosphamide or ifosfamide, or radiation therapy to the pelvis
- Taking Aristolochia fangchi, a Chinese herb
- Drinking well water that has high levels of arsenic
- Drinking water that has been treated with chlorine
- Having a history of bladder infections, including bladder infections caused by Schistosoma haematobium
- Lynch syndrome
- Using urinary catheters for a long time
Not everyone with risk factors will get bladder cancer. But having certain risk factors may increase your risk of developing the disease. If you are at high risk for bladder cancer, talk to your doctor about tests to find out if you have early signs of the disease.
If you’ve been diagnosed with bladder cancer, would like a second opinion or would like to speak with a bladder cancer specialist, please call The James Line at 800-293-5066 or 614-293-5066 to make an appointment.
Related Resources
Bladder Cancer Screening and Diagnosis
Bladder Cancer Treatment
Bladder Cancer Treatment Team