4 common risk factors of bladder cancer
The fourth most common form of cancer, bladder cancer is known to affect nearly 68,000 adults in the country annually. It has been mostly observed in men, especially older men, but bladder cancer can also affect women as well as younger adults. This type of cancer occurs when the cells in the bladder become abnormal and grow without control.
The bladder is a hollow pouch-like organ that stores urine, in which the abnormal growth of cells leads to the formation of a tumor over time. The tumor can sometimes spread to nearby lymph nodes and organs as well, but bladder cancer is usually diagnosed at an early stage when it is still treatable.
Mostly, it is tell-tale symptoms like blood in the urine that make early diagnosis and treatment possible. An individual may be affected by bladder cancer due to a variety of causes, but some factors increase the risk of this cancer:
- Chronic bladder infections and irritation
In some cases, bladder cancer has been linked to irritations and infections related to the bladder. These are usually caused by urinary infections, bladder catheters left in for a long time, bladder and kidney stones, and other chronic bladder irritation. Although rare, an infection known as schistosomiasis, which is caused by a parasitic worm in the bladder is also known to cause cancer.
Those to consume an adequate amount of fluids daily often lower the risk of bladder cancer to a great extent. This is because a higher intake of fluids leads to frequent emptying of the bladder, which flushes toxins and chemicals out of the bladder, reducing the probability of cancer.
In some parts of the world, the presence of arsenic in drinking water has been linked to higher occurrences of bladder cancer. The possibility of exposure to arsenic usually depends on the geographical location and whether one’s drinking water sources are public water systems or wells. If public water systems do not meet low arsenic content standards, the risk of bladder cancer will increase.
Before birth, a part known as urachus connects the belly button to the bladder in the womb. If some part of the urachus remains in the body after birth, it can result in bladder cancer, but this is rare as less than 1 percent of bladder cancer cases are related to the urachus. Exstrophy is another rare birth defect that can increase one’s risk of developing bladder cancer. This form of birth defect occurs when the bladder and the abdominal wall in front of it are fused together and do not close completely, after birth.
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