Bladder cancer is more common in older people and especially in men. Bladder cancer is when the cells of the bladder start growing abnormally forming one or more tumors in the bladder. There are two types of bladder cancer, one being a). Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), b). Muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC).
In non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, the cancer grows in the thin tissue on the inner surface of the bladder, where the bladder muscle is not involved and hence the tumor does not spread outside the bladder.
In muscle invasive bladder cancer, the cancer spreads to the thick tissue of the inner surface of the bladder wall. This cancer allows the tumor to grow outside the bladder into the surrounding tissues. If treatment is delayed, the cancer can move onto the lymph nodes, the lungs, the liver and other parts of the body.
How can you prevent bladder cancer
Let us get to know what are the risk factors that cause bladder cancer, and also see how best we can follow them.
- Quit smoking or inhaling tobacco and also stay away from places where people smoke so you can avoid passive smoke risks.
- If you work at places that make plastics, paints, leather and rubber, make sure you limit your time being in there as there may be a risk of bladder cancer.
- Cancer drugs may increase the risk of getting bladder cancer, thus keep a tab on that.
- Radiations usually given to the pelvic for certain cancers do increase the risk of bladder cancer.
- You are at a higher risk of bladder cancer if you have a family history of the same.
- Ensure that you have a balanced diet, regular exercise along with drinking a lot of water to stay in good health.
When should you call a doctor
Whenever you have the slightest symptoms, you need to talk to a healthcare provider. Therefore do not ignore any symptoms of the following type if any.
- Haematuria – blood in urine is the most common symptom of bladder cancer. Althogh it is painless, and sometimes you may not be able to see it too. Talk to your healthcare provider immediately.
- Frequent and urgent urination is another symptom that cannot be ignored, specially when there is pain. Although this is a less common symptom, do talk to your healthcare provider.
- Pain during the passage of urine.
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Back pain.
