What is Bladder Cancer?
Bladder cancer is uncontrollable cell growth that begins in the bladder, the hollow organ in your lower abdomen that stores urine. The earlier the cancer is diagnosed, the more treatable the cancer and the more likely a successful recovery is. However, even once treated in early stages, the cancerous growth can come back. Therefore, follow-up tests and monitoring are necessary after the treatment.
The following are some signs that you may have bladder cancer :
- Bloody urine (hematuria)
- Discolored urine
- Frequent and painful urination
- Back or upper leg pain
- Weak urine flow
- Difficulty starting/stopping urination
- Pelvic pain
Factors that may increase the likelihood of developing bladder cancer are:
- Smoking
- Aging
- Being a Caucasian male
- A diet high in fat
- Exposure to carcinogenic materials/chemicals
- Previous cancer treatment (especially radiation therapy)
- Chronic bladder inflammation
- Personal/family history of cancer
There are a few preventative measures that can be taken. Quitting smoking is the most helpful thing you can do to prevent bladder cancer. Avoid smoking, take precaution around all chemicals and hazardous materials, and choose a variety of fruits and vegetables to include in your diet. Although there is no guaranteed way to prevent bladder cancer, taking these preventative measures seriously can significantly reduce your risk of developing the cancer.
See Fusion Biopsy and Robotic-Assisted Surgery for more details on how we address bladder cancer at ASUI. Schedule an appointment today with one of our providers at ASUI to discuss some cancer treatment options that are right for you!